Ghost Festival Water Lantern Release, Keelung Mayor Lin Yu-chang Prays for the Safety of Citizens

The highlight of the Keelung Ghost Festival, the water lantern release ceremony, took place late at night on the 14th at the seaside of Wanghai Lane in Badouzi. Keelung Mayor Lin Yu-chang, along with the chairperson of the Xu family association serving as this year's rotating host, Xu Shun-fa, and Speaker Cai Wang-lian, and other local dignitaries participated in the ritual, devoutly praying for the safety and well-being of Keelung citizens. It is believed that the farther the water lanterns drift, the better the fortune for the coming year and the more abundant the blessings.

As the lively water lantern parade drew to a close, various surname family associations carried the water lanterns on brilliantly decorated float cars to the seaside of Wanghai Lane. For this year's release ceremony, the Blooming Middle Eastern Belly Dance Troupe, the Coming True Fire Dance Troupe, and the Leyi Chinese Orchestra were invited to give splendid warm-up performances. The coastline was packed with people waiting to watch the water lantern release, as well as photography enthusiasts who had set up their cameras to capture the spectacular scenes.

After the chanting of sutras and the ritual concluded, led by the Xu family association, the paper boat carrying the water lanterns was slowly pushed onto the sea surface. Each surname family association then took turns pushing the ignited water lanterns into the sea, while people nearby shouted, "May everyone be safe!" and "Prosper!" As the lead water lantern drifted on the sea, the flames burned ever more vigorously, and many people took out their phones to start live streams and share with friends.

The water lanterns, symbolizing a guiding light for the lonely spirits on the water, were lit one after another, inviting the lonely spirits at sea to come ashore and enjoy the offerings, while praying for peace and the elimination of disasters and the cultivation of blessings. The blazing water lanterns floated on the sea surface, and people firmly believe that the farther the water lanterns drift, the more prosperous that surname's fortune will be. This once again expresses the spirit of generosity and compassionate heart of the Keelung Ghost Festival.