Glastonbury Starts with Sky Lanterns
With Glastonbury Festival approaching there is one unique product that comes to mind, sky lanterns. They have, in recent years, become an integral part of any Glasto-goers experience. In an interview last year the headliner’s, Kings of Leon, cited the release of lanterns from the Stone Circle as their enduring memory of the festival. If you do not directly launch one from the magical Stone Circle you are likely to witness their transcendental presence as they drift up and across the roaming Somerset countryside. It is no surprise that the launching of the lanterns, with their connotations of peace and , have become intrinsically associated with the Stone Circle. This field is where festival goers seek respite in the dark of the night, sitting around and talking communally around fires in the free 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 close to numinous experience to watch from the hillside of the Circle as the wishes float across the packed festival, oblivious to the frantic crowds beneath them, up in to the sky and out of sight. Watching the sky lanterns take this journey in to the clouds is a pure moment to ponder and escape. It is one of the reasons that despite its ever sprawling size, Glastonbury remains unparalleled.
