Hiroshima Day Floating Lantern

Every year on 6th August, the Peace Pagoda by Willen Lake in Milton Keynes hosts a special event to mark the anniversary of Hiroshima in a hopeful, uplifting way. It’s organised by the Buddhist monks from the nearby monastery, but it’s very much open to everyone—whatever your background or beliefs. The gathering begins with chanting and speeches, and then, in a beautiful moment, people walk down to the lake where one of the monks sets lanterns—handmade by local schoolchildren—drifting gently across the water.