Video: spectacular footage of what may be the last National Fireworks show in Rotterdam
Over 70,000 people were estimated to be present at the Erasmus Bridge to see the national fireworks show New Year's Eve. The 17th edition this year, which will likely be the last due to budget cuts included the mayor of Rotterdam, Carola Schouten, who was experiencing her first New Year’s Eve in the position.
Ten different companies worked on the event. The fireworks were bought from Dream Fireworks from Enschede. The company works with experts from Spain, who are considered the specialists in Europe when it comes to fireworks, said Jasper Scholte, from the organization company JMR Event Makers.
The fireworks cost a few hundred thousand euros, according to Scholte. This is in addition to the costs for safety measures and the program around it. These costs led to an announcement in the summer that the National Fireworks Show was to be cut by the municipality.
And yet, Scholte still sees hope for the future of the fireworks show. "This year, due to budget cuts, the National Children's Fireworks will also not take place. But we hope to get the Children's Fireworks back and also keep the large National Fireworks going,” he said prior to the event.
The event began at 10:30 p.m. with DJ Irwin and MC Rico Green performing. Over 70,000 thousand people were present to see the event, said Rijnmond.
