Firework Celebrations

1. Where were you when the clock struck midnight at the start of this year? What do you call the festival that celebrates the start of a new year? What are its origins?

2. Do you let off fireworks during the Christmas/New Year period? What do you think of this practice?Are fireworks legal in your country?

3. Do you know any Germans? How would you describe a stereotypical German?

Read article here: Firework Celebration Reading

4. Are you surprised by the number of injuries suffered during Germany's New Year celebrations? Does this go against the national stereotype of Germans being more orderly and generally more law abiding? Why do you think Germans like to make their own rockets using imported components?

5. Do people in your country celebrate in a similar manner? Is there a sharp rise in hospital admissions at this time of year?

6. How are the following impacted by firework use:

health

animal welfare

debris after the event

traumatised  war veterans/refugees?

7. Which side of the argument are you on - do you want to spoil other people's fun, or is it OK for everyone to let off steam?

8. According to the article, what are some possible solutions? Tell me about firework-free zones and bans on alcohol sales. Would they work, do you think?

9. Who tidies up after the celebrations?

10. UK law says that  you cannot set off or throw fireworks (including sparklers) in the street or other public places. You must not set off fireworks between 11pm and 7am, except for: Bonfire Night, when the cut off is midnight. New Year's Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year, when the cut off is 1am. How does the law differ in your country? Why do you think that the rules are disregarded in the UK?

11. Are there any other events in your country that are popular with a certain group, but are considered antisocial by others?

..........

Situation

You are Manuel Trummer, the cultural anthropologist at the University of Regensburg. Make your case for maintaining the Silvester celebrations. Your opponent in this debate is Jorg Strodter, the anti-fireworks campaigner.

..........

Discuss quotes

“Letting off steam always produces more heat than light.”

― Neal A. Maxwell

"If you obey all the rules you miss all the fun."

- Katharine Hepburn

"The ship that will not obey the helm will have to obey the rocks."

- English Proverb

“Tomorrow, is the first blank page of a 365 page book. Write a good one.”

― Brad Paisley

“Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbours, and let every new year find you a better man.”

― Benjamin Franklin

Student Handout PDF: Firework Celebration

Photo: Harrison Haines

Absenteeism: New Year's Eve Rome

 

1. What do people do on New Year's Eve in your country and/or capital city?  

2. Are there any security arrangements for the celebrations? Are there a lot of police officers present?

3. Are there sometimes problems or accidents or do the celebrations generally take place without incident?

Read the article here: New Year's Eve Rome Reading

4. What is your reaction?

5. Why were there so few police officers on duty in Rome on New Year's Eve? Do you think it was dangerous to have so few officers? Do you think it would have been better if the full police force had been on duty that night?

6. Do you think the police officers calling in sick were setting a bad example to other citizens?

7. Do you think the absent police officers should have been punished?

8. What do you think the authorities could do to stop this happening again?

9. Do police officers in your country ever not turn up for work? What about metro train drivers - are there always enough? Is this an Italian problem?

10. When was the last time you called in sick for work?  Is it OK to call in sick from time to time when you're not sick? 

11. Does your country have enough days off in a year? Tell me about bank holidays, paternity/maternity leave, days off/mornings off/afternoons off, how to make a long weekend etc.

..........

Situation

It is now February. You are the head of Rome's police, Cdr. Raffaele Clemente. You understand the frustrations of your police officers and have decided to give them more time off during the year. You've called a press conference to announce the changes. Answer any questions from the waiting journalists.

...........

Here are some employees' excuses for not going to work:

Employee's sobriety tool wouldn't allow the car to start.

Employee forgot he had been hired for the job.

Employee said her dog was having a nervous breakdown.

Employee's dead grandmother was being exhumed for a police investigation.

Employee's toe was stuck in a faucet.

Employee said a bird bit her.

Employee was upset after watching "The Hunger Games".

Have you heard any unusual reasons for calling in sick?

Student Handout PDF: New Year's Eve Rome

Photo: Guardian