Why are there fireworks tonight, 22 Oct?

Question

At this time of writing, there are fireworks in the London skyline. Can anyone tell me which special day is today?

Answer 1

It because the Indian Hindu Community are celebrating the festival of Lights called as Diwali.

Diwali is a major Hindu festival. Known as the "Festival of Lights," it symbolises the victory of good over evil, and lamps are lit as a sign of celebration and hope for mankind. The festival of Diwali is about harvesting. Celebrations focus on lights and lamps, particularly traditional diyas (as illustrated). Fireworks are associated with the festival in many regions of India.

Diwali is celebrated for five consecutive days in the Hindu month of Ashwayuja. It usually occurs in October/November, and is one of the most popular and eagerly awaited festivals in India. Hindus, Jains and Sikhs alike regard it as a celebration of life and use the occasion to strengthen family and social relationships. For Jains it is one of the most important festivals, and beginning of the Jain year. Jains celebrate Diwali because Lord Mahavira achieved Moksha. It is also a significant festival for the Sikh faith.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/asiannetwork/features/diwali.shtml

Answer 2

Today is the first day of the week long festival of Diwali, the Hindu equivalent of Xmas. Fireworks are a traditional way of celebrating the festival , so any area with a substantial Hindu population, like London or the West Midlands, will be lit up toinght.

Answer 3

I don't think there is any particular reason. I noticed this when moving to London 5 years ago. From mid-Sep to 1 Jan weekends sound like a constant bombardment even if you can't actually see fireworks. I think the answer is probably 'tis the season. Around this time of year you have Dilwali (Hindu festival of lights which actually only starts in Nov this year), various harvest festival, Halloween, and Guy Fawkes night. I actually think the phenomena is simply explained by the fact that fireworks become more prominent in the shops at this time of year (because of 5 Nov??) and so people add them to whatever it is they wish to celebrate. I like them, they are pretty! I feel sorry for the animals though they hate the loud noise.

Answer 4

According to my diary today is the 21st and not the 22nd. However what you see is probably a practice run for the real thing or kids of rich parents playing with their new toys. In different parts of the country fireworks have been going into the skyline for most nights in the last week

Answer 5

Today is Moron Day. Moron Day exists because the government has not banned firework sales. If for some very strange but viable reason fireworks should be allowed at all then perhaps the government should allow sales on whatever day that should be but none other.

Answer 6

There's now a law saying that fireworks can only be let off on Nov 5th and a period of some 5 days either side, I think.

I'm not sure whether Divali is exempt from that ruling - it may well be - or whether you're just suffering from the twats who let them off at any time of year to be honest. 8-)

Answer 7

Nothing special, it's just that in London the kids get hold of fireworks from about October, when shops that sell nothing else open up for a couple of months, and some local kids have decided to have some fun, probably by sticking rockets up cats' bums...

Answer 8

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh that's whats going on!!!
We have a big firework display going on in the Midlands too, and was wondering what it was all about!

HAPPY DIWALI !!!! to those who celebrate the Festival of light?

Answer 9

Forgive me for being pedantic but it's 21 October today. Still probably either Diwali though, or else it's just the usual over-extended Guy Fawkes Night starting early and carrying on well past its use by date.

Answer 10

It's not a special day, it's because the stupid shops sell the stupid fireworks weeks before 5th November and stupid people let the stupid things off too early. This happens every year and it goes on until the shops have stopped selling the stupid things or the stupid people who have bought them run out of them. Altogether it's pretty stupid. I think the sale of fireworks should be banned in the UK, like it is in Australia. People are killed and maimed every year by the STUPID things, not to mention all the animals that are attacked with fireworks or terrified by them. And they still have fantastic, safe displays in Australia that everyone can watch.