Glastonbury Kicks off with Sky Lanterns
With Glastonbury Festival approaching there is one particular product that comes to mind, sky lanterns. They have, in recent years, become an integral part of any Glastonbury-goers experience. In an interview last year the headliner’s, Kings of Leon, cited the release of lanterns from the Stone Circle as their strongest memory of the festival. If you do not directly release one from the magical Stone Circle you are likely to witness their supernatural presence as they drift up and across the rolling Somerset countryside. It is no surprise that the launching of the lanterns, with their connotations of serenity and hope, have become intrinsically linked with the Stone Circle. This area is where festival goers seek respite in the dark of the night, sitting around and talking together around fires in the open spirit that remains at the heart of the festival. As is traditional with sky lanterns, a wish is made with each one released. It is a powerful experience to watch from the hillside of the Circle as the wishes float across the packed festival, oblivious to the frenzied crowds beneath them, up in to the sky and out of view. Watching the sky lanterns take this journey in to the clouds is a divine moment to ponder and escape. It is one of the reasons that despite its ever sprawling size, Glastonbury remains unique.
