Points of Light Lantern Celebration

In Japan, participants float paper lanterns in memorial during Tōrō nagashi. In Thailand and Laos, people celebrate Loi Krathong by floating a small boat with a candle. In Cambodia, it is the festival of Bonn Om Teuk. In India, a religious ceremony includes candles floated on the Ganges. Lichterswimmen has occurred in Zurich for over half a century, and floating candles is part of a Slavic holiday, Kupala Night.

This is now a tradition at Lowell’s Ecumenical Plaza, decorated for one night with professional and collaborative art. Leading up to and at the event, participants throughout the city decorate the lanterns with art, prayers, memorials, and messages. Before the lanterns are launched, local organizations sell traditional ethnic foods, while Lowell’s diverse cultures perform music and dance. As sun sets, the lanterns are released with multifaith and secular statements, prayers, and invocations. A dance party closes out the evening!