Light Festival

History

It is unknown when the first Light Festival took place, but it is assumed that it was preceded by a major catastrophe with many deaths. A method was sought to mourn and commemorate the dead together. During their deliberations, one of the Priests of Light remembered an old ritual used by other peoples to bury the dead.
They sent their dead out to sea in a burning boat. The priest wondered whether this was possible on a small scale and discussed it with the other priests and priestesses. Together they came up with the idea of lighting a small boat, about the size of a hand, for each dead person and letting it drift across a river or a lake.
The first festival, still called the Festival of the Dead, was accepted by the people and continued for the first few years. Over time, a festival of mourning became a festival of remembrance and it was no longer just the dead of the disaster that were remembered, but all the dead.
In many families, the tradition developed of lighting a boat on fire and then looking at the boats together with the family and remembering fond memories of the deceased. This also changed the name. From then on, the Light Festival was celebrated once a year.

Execution

On the day of the Light Festival, preparations are made throughout the day. The streets are swept, tables and chairs are set up on the shore and food is prepared. The last messages to the deceased are written and tied to the boats and there are last opportunities to get a boat.
When the sun finally sets, people gather on the banks of a river or lake and the first boats are lit and launched. As night falls, the water resembles an image of the stars.
For a while, the boats are observed in complete darkness, then lights are lit on the shore. This is when the sharing of memories and the communal meal begins. Although it is a celebration, the atmosphere is calm and almost mystical due to the lights.

Components and tools

Boats carved out of wood with messages tied to them and lots of food, consisting mainly of meat and bread. The rule is that no boats may be bought. If you can't carve one yourself, you can get a boat by offering the owner something in return.
This can be an exchange with other craft goods or help with the preparations for the festival. In all towns and villages, priests and magicians offer to write down messages to the deceased free of charge, as there are many people who can neither read nor write.

Participants

Everyone is invited to the Light Festival. Your status is irrelevant on this day. Young and old, rich and poor, magician or not, everyone celebrates together. In some towns, even the Strigoi and Moroi join in the celebrations.

Observance

The Light Festival takes place once a year. Preparations begin a month in advance so that everyone has enough time to take care of a boat.

Light Festival by Midjouney