Nicosia, Cyprus. Stricter controls will be imposed on the lighting of lambradjies ahead of Easter, while the tradition itself will be respected, Union of Municipalities chairman Andreas Vyras said on Friday.
Meeting with justice minister
Vyras made the remarks after a meeting with Justice Minister Costas Fitiris. He said authorities were addressing delinquent behaviour associated with the period, not the custom of lambradjies itself.
Concerns over weeks leading up to Easter
Vyras said the issue extends beyond Holy Saturday celebrations and concerns behaviour in the weeks leading up to Easter. He said the collection of materials in neighbourhoods and municipalities can take on “alarming and dangerous dimensions,” citing reports of hazardous items being gathered and stored in residential areas.
Call for coordinated action
He stressed the need for close cooperation between police, the fire service and local authorities to prevent delinquency and public nuisance while ensuring public safety. The Union of Municipalities called for a swift and coordinated response to avoid a repeat of past incidents.
Past incidents and renewed calls for oversight
Last year saw numerous cases of children and teenagers handling explosives, and a young man, Daniel Christian Fratilescu, was killed in Strovolos while preparing a bonfire. The incident prompted renewed calls for stricter oversight and safer practices, including from Eleni Demetriou, a criminologist at the University of Cyprus, who said at the time that it was about public safety and the rule of law.
Appeal to protect citizens and social cohesion
Vyras urged all stakeholders to act promptly to safeguard citizens and maintain social cohesion during the festive period.
What measures would you like local authorities to take to improve safety around lambradjies this Easter?