Organizers aim to increase the number of candles lit along the Peace Memorial Park to 7,000 in this year’s event.

An event called Kugani-nu Kanasa is scheduled to take place at Okinawa Peace Memorial Park on the eve of the Okinawa Memorial Day (Irei-no Hi).

Vintage WWII-era searchlights cast ‘pillars of light’ towards the sky in the evening of both Jun 22 and 23.

The Jun. 22 Kugani-nu Kanasa is the second time the event is organized. It takes place at the memorial park in Mabuni, Itoman City, starting 19:30. Admission to the event is free.

The event’s purpose is to make people think peace and remember those who perished during the war on Okinawa. Last December, the first event incorporated five WWII-era searchlights that cast pillars of lights towards the night sky, and participants lit 1,000 candles for remembrance.

This year organizers are aiming for 7,000 candles to be lit in the park. The candles and searchlights also symbolize a connection between people on earth and heavens. The searchlights are also turned on in the evening of June 23, the Irei-no Hi.

The event also features a sanshin performance on the dark stage with the 7,000 candles the sole source of light in addition to the stars above. Katsutoshi Miyagi and Tsutomu Kinjo play sanshin and sing on the stage.

Pictures of last year’s event are on the even facebook page.

• 
• NO DATA