The Tōrō Nagashi ceremony, a Japanese tradition that draws thousands of people annually to Coria del Río, will take place at dusk on August 15th. The event aims to honor the souls of departed loved ones and wish for world peace, blending spirituality, aesthetics, and emotion.
The ceremony will commence at 8:30 PM at the Paseo Carlos de Mesa, near the Yashiro en Orilla monument, known as the Temple of Souls and created by Japanese artist Kiyoshi Yamaoka. Following this, lanterns will be released onto the Guadalquivir river, creating a unique spectacle.
Victoriano Cancelo, delegate for Culture and Tourism of the Coria del Río City Council, highlighted the event's growing significance. It began in 2017 with about 50 attendees and has since welcomed over 10,000 people. He noted the ceremony's strong connection with the community and its tenth anniversary, expressing hope for its continued magical and spiritual appeal.
The deputy mayor emphasized Coria del Río's unique bond with Japan, stressing the responsibility to protect shared cultural heritage and the values of respect, memory, and peace that define the celebration.
The day's festivities will include various activities for families, such as entering under Torii gates, ornamental lanterns, traditional Japanese music performances, theatrical entertainment, oriental culture specialty shops, themed photo opportunities, and children's workshops with prizes.
José Japón Sevilla, Honorary Consul of Japan, confirmed the attendance of the new Ambassador of Japan, Hiroshi Yamauchi, lending significant institutional weight to the event as a meeting point for both peoples and cultures. He praised Coria del Río's prolific cultural engagement with Japan, noting it's the only town in Spain where the Japanese flag flies year-round.
Sebastián Cordero, representing the Hasekura association, spoke about supporting Japanese cultural promotion and announced an exhibition opening on August 11th in Coria del Río to explain the celebration's origins and purpose. He mentioned that the Carlos de Mesa park monument was established as a resting place for deceased Japanese individuals in the town, leading to this unique celebration in Europe.
Floating lanterns can be purchased at the event venue or in advance at Papelería Santa María (Carretero Street, 25) and bar L´Kiosko (Paseo Carlos de Mesa). The city council has designated three marked parking areas to facilitate access for visitors from outside the municipality.
