A Fascination with Fireworks

Chun Jie, the Chinese New Year Festival has officially begun. Amanda and I have both written about the way things were going to be, based upon reports that we have received from friends. Now we can tell you what it is like from firsthand accounts.

Back in the US, there are often big fireworks displays. I have seen some that have been pretty impressive. After the Atlanta Braves or NY Yankees won a home game, they would often have a nice fireworks show. On New Year’s Eve and Independence Day, most US cities put on some event. When I lived in NYC, I remember looking out of the window of my apartment that looked over the Hudson River, and viewing a spectacle that was quite remarkable. I state all of this for perspective. Nothing that I had seen previously, either on TV or in person, had prepared me for the amazing spectacle that we experienced last night.

Wikipedia describes fireworks as “a low explosive pyrotechnic device used primarily for aesthetic and entertainment purposes”. It also states: “Fireworks were originally invented in ancient China in the 12th century for entertainment purposes, as a natural extension of the Chinese invention of gunpowder. Such important events and festivities as Chinese New Year and the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival were and still are times when fireworks are guaranteed sights. China is the largest manufacturer and exporter of fireworks in the world”.

At dusk, the citizens began spasmodically lighting off smaller fireworks. Around 9 pm, they began shooting them off in earnest. Because there was no way we were going to be able to get any sleep, we decided to walk around, and see things from ground level. Everywhere we went, there were people lighting fireworks. In the States, males are predominately the ones who enjoy this mildly destructive form of fun. Here they start young, and both genders imbibe.

There were times when we thought we were in a war zone. At one point, someone did not properly set up some bottle rockets, and they went askew. We had to duck for cover as they began firing right at us. A group of teenagers came to the square with five big boxes of pyrotechnics and quickly set the standard for the night. They were setting off firecrackers that were six inches tall and about two inches in diameter. When exploded, we could feel the concussion from them in our chest. One Westerner, who was nearby, said afterwards that they made her sick to her stomach. Some of the fireworks had to be launched by mortar fire. We could hear the whistle of ordinance flying over head before exploding and blossoming into a cascade of light. Many of the building were being bombarded by shell after shell from neighboring apartments. Added to the din was the myriad of car alarms that had been set off by the multitude of blasts. We were thankful that we had our earplugs. Without them, I am sure that a couple times we would have experienced severe damage to our ears.

One magazine that I regularly read, once wrote an article about how people from just about every country are fascinated by fireworks. Here in China that certainly holds true, both for the natives and us. Although we don’t celebrate Chun Jie or New Year’s, we too were fascinated. It was amazing to be present for the sights and sounds. But I say that after day one. What will I think after 14 more days of this? - Frank
"We anoint their fuses with a tiny amount of fire, and they come alive, playing out their life span in a matter or seconds. In those few seconds a crack in the universe is opened, giving us a glimpse of the energy locked within all matter." -Bob Weaver
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"Fireworks are an art form that uses the night sky as the canvas." -Larry Crump