Filenews 9 April 2025 - by Michalis Hadjivasilis
The revised bill concerning lambratzies is being discussed today in the Parliamentary Committee on Legal Affairs, with the big bet related to whether it will be implemented from Easter this year.
The Ministry of Justice sent the new bill with the changes agreed with the Union of Municipalities and the Union of Communities, with the Police taking on a greater role in controlling the conditions under which a permit will be given for lighting fires.
According to the bill, the lampratzia is organized:
(i) By the Local Government Authority in the context of its cultural activities in view of the Easter holidays.
(ii) By a member of the Parish Committee and following a special permit issued by the Local Administration Authority, within the boundaries of which the lampratzia is placed.
For each church, a single lampratzia may be organized, which will be placed only at a point near a church, 30 meters away from the church building or a house, building or premises. It is also provided that the preparation and lighting of fires within the immovable property of a third party without his written consent is not allowed.
In addition, the lampratzia must consist of a small quantity of pure wood, not impregnated with chemical materials, the base diameter and height of which do not exceed three meters. The cost, transport and placement of the lambratzia materials as well as the check that lime is not left is the responsibility of the lambratzia organizer.
The new bill also notes that the preparation for lighting the bonfire begins on Holy Wednesday and can extend until 16:00 on Holy Saturday, and its lighting takes place between 23:00 on the evening of Holy Saturday and 01:00 on Easter Sunday. Upon making a decision to organize a lampratzia, the local administration authority notifies this decision to the Police and the Fire Service 30 days before Easter. Exceptionally, this year the local administration authority will be able to communicate its decision to organize a lambratzia, up to three days before Easter Sunday.
It is also provided that the lampratzia is placed under the supervision of a representative of the local administration authority that organizes it and in case anything reprehensible is observed, it informs the Cyprus Police and the Cyprus Fire Service, so that they can deal with it within the framework of their responsibilities. The new bill provides for penalties ranging from five years in prison or up to a €25,000 fine up to 12 years in prison and €100,000 depending on where a fire breaks out and what damage it will cause, when a fire escapes.
