Tanabata. Star festival

The Tanabata festival the Star Festival Hoshi Matsuri.

The celebration is held at various days between July and August.

Takes place in China and Japan.

Tanabata is celebrated to commemorate the romantic story of two lovers represented by the stars Vega and Altair who are only allowed to meet each other once a year as long as the skies are clear.

One of the most iconic symbols of the Tanabata festival are the long, thin strips of colorful paper streamers known as “tanzaku.”

Wishes are written on the tanzaku. Since bamboo grows tall, the wishes are supposed to be able to reach the heavens

The bamboo and decorations are often set afloat on a river or burned after the festival, around midnight or on the next day