Everything is Illuminated

Nothing heralds the start of the Christmas season (there I said it) in my mind quite as much as the warming glow of the festival of lights. Tonight this dazzling parade of willow and tissue lanterns will gracefully float through the streets of Truro, dispersed amongst the array of creations will be the heartbeat of this spectacular event, the Samba Dancers (with Samba Drummers) and the many other more traditional bands. 

The lanterns are handmade and carried by the professional artists, Cornish school children and local community groups who created them. We go every year and they seem to get more elaborate every time. There is a different theme each year and this year the theme is Kings and Queens - so who knows where the artists imagination will take us!

The larger pieces loom out of the darkness at you and often have joints that move independently to interact with and delight the spectators. These are interspersed with groups of children carrying small Chinese style lanterns, that add a warming glow to the whole possession as it meanders its way into the heart of the city, like a river of light. There is plenty of carnival masks and feathers to give an air of mystery and ritual.

It is a festival of no significant origin, but to me it's one that celebrates the very essence of life and is a favourite on my calender.

Here are some examples of previous years...