Filenews 14 April 2023
With legislation, permits, terms and conditions we will light lamps from 2024, according to a bill that was recently completed and forwarded to the Ministry of Interior for promotion. Permits will be granted by municipalities and communities to their parishes, under strict conditions, while anyone who lights a bonfire outside the licensed space will risk a fine or imprisonment.
According to the bill prepared by the Ministry of Interior, the Commissioner for Legislation Louisa Christodoulidou Zannetou in cooperation with the Police pyrotechnics, the creation of a law referred to as the regulation and control of lambratzia is foreseen, while for the first time it is defined what is lambratzia: It means the custom of lighting a fire during Easter holidays in the context of the tradition of the Cypriot Orthodox Christian Church and other Christian denominations in the Republic.
Under the bill, it is forbidden for any person to collect materials or prepare materials for the purpose of lighting a lamp or to light or supply lambratzia, unless he participates in the process of preparing or lighting or supplying lambratzia, for which a license has been obtained from the Local Government Authority. The preparation and/or lighting of lambratzia is permitted, provided that all of the following conditions are met:
(a) Obtaining prior permission from the local government authority in accordance with the provisions of this Law.
(b) The preparation for the purpose of lighting the lampratzia may begin eight days before Easter Sunday and may extend to Easter Sunday.
(c) The materials for the preparation and lighting of the bonfire are provided only by the local administration authority or the Parish Committee and the use or transport for use of any flammable material or material other than raw wood is prohibited.
According to the procedure established, any Parish Committee, if it so wishes, may submit a written application to the local administration authority within which the parish of the church falls, with the last date of submission of the application, 30 days before Easter Sunday, for approval of the preparation and lighting of lambratzia: The local administration authorities may issue only one license for the preparation and lighting of lambratzia for each Parish Committee.
With the issuance of permits, they are forwarded within 24 hours to the Fire Service for information. It is also provided that the authorisation granted may be revoked by the issuing local authority for one of the following reasons:
(a) When it was issued fraudulently or by false representations or concealment of material facts or because any of the conditions under which it was granted are not met.
(b) When the issuing Authority of local administration receives more than four complaints from citizens, who live or work at a distance of 200 metres from the area of Labratzia, that any form of nuisance or nuisance is caused.
(c) When the issuing competent local authority has reasonable cause to believe that an offence is being committed in violation of the provisions of this Law.
Also, the license may be revoked by the issuing local authority when requested by the Police or the Fire Brigade due to the repeated commission of criminal offences or due to the risk of fire.
Fire safety conditions for lighting a lampshade
In order to allow a lampratzia to be erected, the area at a distance of at least 30 metres must be clear of dry grass or other combustible materials or premises.
There should be no buildings, premises or houses within 30 meters or electrical or telecommunications cables above or around the lampratzia at a distance of 30 metres. The lambratzia should consist of a small quantity of pure wood, not impregnated by chemical materials, whose base diameter and height should not exceed three meters.
Do not light the lampratzia if there is a strong wind. It is also provided that in the area of preparation and lighting of the lampratzia, the necessary firefighting tools (hoe, shovel, shoulder sprayer, fire extinguishers, etc.) are easily accessible.
Imprisonment and fine
The bill also provides that any person who participates in the preparation or lighting of lampratzia without having obtained prior permission from the competent local authority or lights or feeds flammable lampratzia materials or deposits near the area where lambratzia materials are expected to be placed that were not granted by the competent local authority. or throws explosives, pyrotechnic articles, engine oils or other materials that may cause explosion or sudden ignition, or finally causing fire or other damage to property or bodily injury to any person due to reckless or negligent use of materials during the preparation, lighting or supply of lampratia: He is guilty of an offence and is punishable by imprisonment for up to three years or a fine of up to €5000 or both.
