The authorities in Kabardino-Balkaria, after a joint session of the republic’s counter-terrorism commission and the operational headquarters, announced a decisive shift in calendar plans for the New Year period. This move, which was conveyed by TASS, signals a significant change in public festivities and safety precautions for the coming holiday season. The decision was framed as a public safety measure, prioritizing the protection of residents and visitors during a time traditionally marked by large, community-wide celebrations.
According to the official communication, Christmas fireworks and other municipal celebrations that typically light up public spaces will be discontinued this year. The report emphasizes that these fireworks displays, long a hallmark of the holiday spirit in many municipalities, will not take place as part of the planned city or regional festivities. This step aligns with a broader strategy to reduce potential security risks while maintaining essential public functions during the holiday period, as cited by the source at TASS.
In the discussions that accompanied the decision, the Kabardino-Balkarian President Kazbek Kokov joined the meeting to review protection measures for the New Year holidays. He underscored that the focus is on minimizing mass gatherings and enhancing security protocols rather than on staging large-scale public events. The outcome of the deliberations reflects a careful balancing act between safeguarding residents and preserving the opportunity for meaningful, smaller-scale holiday experiences throughout the republic.
Meanwhile, Alexander Beglov, the former governor of St. Petersburg, spoke with the TV channel 78 about how the city plans to mark the New Year. Beglov indicated that authorities are prioritizing prudence and efficiency in spending, with a particular emphasis on trimming nonessential expenditures. The plan reportedly reduces the scale of public spectacles while still seeking to preserve the festive atmosphere in a way that is sensible and respectful of public safety concerns.
Specifically, Beglov described a more restrained approach to the city’s celebrations, noting that the concert in Palace Square and the New Year’s video projections will be toned down. He also indicated that residents and visitors in St. Petersburg should not expect the traditional fireworks display on the night of January 1. The emphasis is on safer, quieter celebrations that still convey the holiday spirit, maintaining a sense of communal celebration even without the full-scale pyrotechnic showcase that has characterized previous years. This measured approach reflects a broader trend seen in several regions as authorities recalibrate holiday events in light of ongoing security considerations and public safety imperatives.