One of the most iconic parts of New Year's Eve every year is the spectacular sights and sounds of Sydney's colorful fireworks display, with the backdrop of the Australian city's beautiful Harbor Bridge and state-of-the-art Opera House.
Of course, this is one of the first places to ring in the new year, so it makes sense to expect a big bang (literally) to mark the arrival of 2026.
But as readers know, there has been a mass shooting in Australia in recent weeks. Bondi Beach December 14 (the first night of Hanukkah, a terrorist attack that killed 17 and wounded others celebrating the Jewish festival of lights.
It quickly became apparent that the attack was motivated by hatred and anti-Semitism.
This is something Australia's far-left Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has refused to acknowledge, declaring in recent days, despite the wishes of the victims' families, that any superficial investigation would not serve the “national interest”, as my colleague Becky Noble put it. wrote.
However, goodness and signs of light were visible even in the hours and days after the Bondi Beach attack, as stories began to trickle out about the unlikely everyday heroes who stopped the heinous attack from getting worse. Another way the loved ones of the victims and survivors were healed was the world's response, which began with a solemn moment of prayer in Washington that same night.
READ MORE: Washington breaks through the darkness by lighting the menorah on the first night of Hanukkah
As I write about this, a few personal notes pop into my head:
When I was a teenager, on a school-sponsored Easter trip to Europe, I had the opportunity to visit a museum on the outskirts of Munich, Germany, where the Dachau concentration camp was located. The photographs and remains showing the evil of people like you and me still haunt me, as do the engraved words placed there for every future person to read and understand: “Never again.” Some of these photos are featured in the clip below. This US Army hero was there too:
Just weeks before his death at age 99, World War II veteran Darrell Bush recalled the horrors he witnessed at the Dachau concentration camp shortly after liberation in 1945. #VeteransDay pic.twitter.com/zMXLSFQMyY
— United States Holocaust Museum (@HolocaustMuseum) November 11, 2024
On a lighter note, here is a film bridging the past and future, full of light. I once again encourage you to see David, a fascinating and funny story from the Old Testament (and, as Christians, our Jewish relatives), in vibrant color on the silver screen, as I wrote in the VIP column:
Fast forward to tonight in Sydney. Ahead of the countdown to 2026, a cacophony of explosions and kaleidoscopic skies, there was first a moment of silence. However, the participants didn't just stare into the darkness.
Reminiscent of a menorah, it began with a display of white lights, starting with the Harbor Bridge depicting a symbolic dove and the words “unity” and “peace,” before viewers were treated to fireworks at 11 p.m. came into effect:
Before Australia entered 2026, the Sydney Harbor Bridge was lit up in white as a symbol of peace and unity, and people turned on their phone flashlights to illuminate the harbor in remembrance of the Bondi shootings.
Look:
Sydney is suspending its famous fireworks display on New Year's Day as the city stands in solidarity with the Jewish community and the victims of the Bondi massacre. 🕊️ ✡️ pic.twitter.com/HeAQ0qefED
— Arsen Ostrovsky 🎗️ (@Ostrov_A) December 31, 2025
The party then got back on track, as the Aussies always know how to do, with the usual countdown and amazing fireworks displays (which lasted about 15 minutes).
Thousands of revelers flocked to popular Sydney spots to bid farewell to 2025 and even watch fireworks as Australians were urged to “show defiance” following the Bondi attack. pic.twitter.com/eknvaAXr24
— Independent (@Independent) December 31, 2025
Fireworks 2026 from Sydney, from different angles.
With the Sydney Harbor Bridge illuminated in white and the glow of thousands of torches on New Year's Eve, crowds paused to remember and honor the 15 people killed in the Bondi attack earlier this month. pic.twitter.com/xXLUP7T0am— Frankie™️🦅 (@B7frankH) December 31, 2025
I suspect that the people who witnessed this moment will remember it much longer than the bright flashes of color that followed a few seconds later in the Sydney sky.
Happy New Year 2026, readers! May the turn of the page bring prosperity, peace and love to you and your loved ones.
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