Amsterdam residents confront mayor over ban on traditional New Year’s fire on Floraveld
A private community meeting in Floradorp turned "chaotic" Monday evening as residents confronted Mayor Femke Halsema over the city’s ban on the neighborhood’s longstanding New Year’s fire tradition, De Telegraaf reported. Outside, tensions continued with verbal attacks and fireworks.
Amsterdam’s municipal authorities decided to permanently end the traditional New Year’s fire on Floraveld after more than 70 years, citing safety concerns. Monday’s meeting was intended to discuss the ban.
The meeting, held at the Antoniushuis, included Halsema, police, firefighters, and concerned residents. According to attendees, the atmosphere was tense from the start, with heavy swearing directed at Halsema. Several residents who stepped outside reported to De Telegraaf that the insults continued on the street, with some young children joining in.
After the event, Halsema faced further harassment outside. “I was prepared for this. I wasn’t shocked. I do struggle, however, with people swearing in such an antisocial way,” she told De Telegraaf. She described the evening as “emotional and intense,” explaining that residents view the fire as an important tradition. “I get constant negative advice from the fire department because the risks are too high. And then I have to make a hard decision.”
Halsema said tensions inside the room escalated. “I indicated that I did not appreciate some of the things said. There are limits. If someone says, ‘I’m going to smoke now, or I’ll kill,’ then yes, I get angry.”
She also described the threatening atmosphere outside. “Statements like, ‘All of Noord will burn’—people are afraid of unrest, and I understand that. But not every emotion is justified. Sometimes it sounds like incitement, and that’s concerning.”
Residents expressed frustration over losing a tradition passed down for generations. “We grew up with this,” one woman told De Telegraaf. “We pass it on to our children. It’s part of who we are. And now it’s just taken away from us.”
Despite the chaos, Halsema confirmed the ban will remain in place. “The prohibition stands, that is clear. But maybe it will change if they realize they’re losing the neighborhood,” a visibly emotional resident said.
