Nagasaki hosts many annual festivals, each of which has its own unique history. In August, during the traditional Obon Festival, local residents honor the memory of deceased relatives. For this event, townspeople built small boats with photographs of relatives who died in the current year fixed on them. A solemn procession passes through the city streets to the harbor where the symbolic boats are burned. At first glance, the festival may seem fully mournful, but there is also a festive part. Locals believe that the boat burning ceremony helps the souls of their deceased relatives to go to heaven. Such a significant and kind event is celebrated with colorful fireworks and gong playing.
In late August, the Lantern Festival, one of the largest of its kind in Japan, is held in the surrounding area of Emukaetho. Within the framework of this festival, a huge 25-meter-high tower is built from lanterns. More than 3,000 lanterns are used for its formation. When evening comes, all the lanterns installed on city streets and squares are lit - a truly fantastic sight. The festival involves many entertainment activities for children, they can also participate in ceremonies.
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