The "International Floating Lantern Festival" lands in New Taipei — 1,000 lanterns to be released for free on the 19th

▲ Since 1999, the island of Oahu in Hawaii has hosted the International Floating Lantern Festival annually, and this year it will make its debut in Taiwan. (Photo / fromthe Lantern Floating Hawaii fan page)

By reporter Tsai Wen-jun / Comprehensive report

A major Hawaiian event — the International Floating Lantern Festival — is now making its first appearance in Taiwan. Organized by a Japanese civilian group, the "2015 International Floating Lantern Festival" will be held on April 19 at the Breeze Canal in Luzhou, New Taipei City. In addition to cultural performances and blessing ceremonies, 1,000 floating lanterns will be available for the general public to pick up and release for free.

The "International Floating Lantern Festival" is a well-known international blessing event held annually by a Japanese group in various countries including Japan, Hawaii, Berlin, and London, and has become one of the important festive events in Hawaii. Through the ritual of releasing lanterns, participants can pay tribute to their ancestors and send blessings to family and friends. On the 19th, the Breeze Canal in New Taipei City will also provide 1,000 free lanterns for the public to take and float, praying for loved ones.