A draft bill provides that lighting up a lambradjia – an Easter tradition in Cyprus which in the end has turned into a dangerous habit – will come under the jurisdiction of local authorities.
And penalties will also be imposed upon those who violate it and consequently endanger lives, Philenews reported on Wednesday citing police insiders.
Lambradjia is an Easter tradition in Cyprus where Orthodox Greek Cypriots gather outside a churchyard and burn an effigy of Judas.
However, the ‘war’ of lambradjia bonfires has become an annual nightmare since delinquent youths ransack neighbourhood streets for wood, car tyres and whatever else is flammable enough.
This year, the ‘war’ has begun as early as during Lent, that is, during the 40-day period leading up to Easter which falls on April 16.
This means that local youths gather wood – one way or another – to prepare competing bonfires that take place not only outside churches but also school yards and empty lots.
On Tuesday, Kato Polemidia mayor Nicos Anastasiou reported threats against councillors who met the night before to discuss measures against illegal lambradjia bonfires.
He said security cameras outside the town hall had recorded a group of individuals who sprayed painted slogans after getting wind of the local meeting.
Photos on social media showed spray-painted graffiti on glass windows with slogans saying “we run this town during lambradjia” and “you’re either with us or against us.”
The draft bill will soon be sent to the Lega Service for a review before it is tabled before the Cabinet for approval. The House plenum will then debate it and put it to a vote.
