Fireworks won't save culture

The fifth day of the lunar new year, which fell on February 22 this year, is the day to welcome the God of Fortune. As the government lifted the ban on fireworks displays during the Spring Festival holidays, residents in Shanghai had an exceptionally grand display of firecrackers.

The thick smog produced by setting off the fireworks lingered on the overpasses and the visibility was less than 10 meters. According to the local environmental protection department, the trash caused by fireworks from February 21 to 22 weighed more than 1,400 tons.

Those who advocate fireworks say that firecrackers are the symbolic signs of the Spring Festival and our traditional culture. We should advocate traditional culture against the invasion of today's consumptionism. Others who are against fireworks hold that such major pollution has distorted the original connotation of the celebration and hurt our life. Fireworks should be banned.