It is highly irksome and stressful for the young and the elderly to have to endure the obscene, ear-splitting and continuous bursts and bangs of fireworks throughout every corner of the island at every time of the day – often even beyond midnight.

This dreadful and loathsome state of affairs appears to flourish with the tacit consent, approval and possible connivance of both the parish authorities and the police in open defiance of the laws and regulations regulating the use of fireworks, noise pollution and safety.

This is taking place every single day during the summer festa season.

The noise pollution is so acute that it is reminiscent of the ferocious Luftwaffe blitzkriegs on the Grand Harbour area during WWII.

These evil, scary bangs may very easily scare away from our shores tourists and visitors whose number one consideration in the choice of a holiday is a tranquil and peaceful environment.

It should be clearly emphasized by the competent authorities that small bangs may be permitted in the case of decorative, coloured fireworks displays that are universally admired and appreciated.

Should there be a repetition of the abuses in the future, local councils should take up their cudgels and take effective legal action against the competent ecclesiastical and civil authorities.

Edwin Calleja

Balzan