Traditional lanterns are displayed at a shop for Thadingyut Festival in Yangon, Myanmar, Oct. 1, 2025. Decorating lanterns at homes, restaurants, and supermarkets across Myanmar to welcome the Thadingyut Festival is a cherished cultural practice. The glowing lanterns not only brighten the night but also carry the spirit of preserving Myanmar's traditional bamboo lantern crafts. Known as the Lighting Festival, Thadingyut marks the end of Buddhist Lent and celebrates the Buddha's descent from heaven. (Xinhua/Myo Kyaw Soe)

YANGON, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- Decorating lanterns at homes, restaurants, and supermarkets across Myanmar to welcome the Thadingyut Festival is a cherished cultural practice. The glowing lanterns not only brighten the night but also carry the spirit of preserving Myanmar's traditional bamboo lantern crafts.

Known as the Lighting Festival, Thadingyut marks the end of Buddhist Lent and celebrates the Buddha's descent from heaven.

"Making lanterns has been my life for decades. It is more than a livelihood, it is my way of keeping tradition," said U Phyu Lay, 70, who has more than 46 years of experience in crafting bamboo lanterns.

"Lantern-making is almost extinct now, but for the sake of cultural continuity, we keep doing it," he said.

Compared to the past, his production has dropped by half. This year, his family of five crafted around 1,000 lanterns in various designs, with most buyers coming from shopping malls and restaurants eager to support cultural preservation.

"While modern lanterns dominate the markets, handcrafted bamboo lanterns still hold a special place for those who value tradition," U Phyu Lay said.

"In the past, the entire Bawka ward in Kyimyindaing township, Yangon region was involved in making lanterns," he explained.

Rising costs have added to the challenge, with the price of a pole of bamboo increasing from 2,000 kyats (about 0.95 U.S. dollars) to about 6,500 kyats (about 3.09 dollars), he said.

"We usually start two to three months before Thadingyut, cutting bamboo, designing, and preparing. But since lanterns are no longer essential items, demand has declined," he added.

Daw Khin Mar Kyi, 60, another bamboo lantern artisan, said, "I began this work when I was 15. I feel happy when I sell the things I make. I value the act of preserving tradition more than profit."

"Handheld lantern toys don't sell as well as they used to. Still, I believe parents should buy them at least once a year for their children," she said.

"Some children have never seen these toys, and parents should introduce them so that the tradition continues," she added.

Injin, 35, said, "I bought handheld lantern toys for my nephews because they love to hold them while walking at night during the festival. We don't need flashlights at Thadingyut as every house is lit with candles and decorated with lanterns."

"When I see this, I miss my childhood. Back then, almost every child in the street carried lantern toys and walked around at night. These toys made cheerful sounds and filled the night with both light and joy. But now, it has become less common," she added.

Ko Khant, 20, a hotel employee, said, "I bought lanterns to decorate the hotel for the Thadingyut festival. They brighten the dark night, and symbolize the welcoming of the Buddha's descent from heaven with light."

"These lanterns are more than decorations; they are a living reminder of tradition, and the enduring spirit of the festival," he said.

The Thadingyut Festival in Myanmar is observed for three days, the day before, the day of, and the day after the full moon. This year, the full moon day of Thadingyut falls on Oct. 6. ■

Traditional lanterns are displayed at a shop for Thadingyut Festival in Yangon, Myanmar, Oct. 1, 2025. Decorating lanterns at homes, restaurants, and supermarkets across Myanmar to welcome the Thadingyut Festival is a cherished cultural practice. The glowing lanterns not only brighten the night but also carry the spirit of preserving Myanmar's traditional bamboo lantern crafts.

Known as the Lighting Festival, Thadingyut marks the end of Buddhist Lent and celebrates the Buddha's descent from heaven. (Xinhua/Myo Kyaw Soe)

Artisans make traditional lanterns for Thadingyut Festival in Yangon, Myanmar, Oct. 1, 2025. Decorating lanterns at homes, restaurants, and supermarkets across Myanmar to welcome the Thadingyut Festival is a cherished cultural practice. The glowing lanterns not only brighten the night but also carry the spirit of preserving Myanmar's traditional bamboo lantern crafts.

Known as the Lighting Festival, Thadingyut marks the end of Buddhist Lent and celebrates the Buddha's descent from heaven. (Xinhua/Myo Kyaw Soe)