Burning of the Snow

Old

The river is becoming thawed, it is time to celebrate the oncoming warmth! However, the ice lingers, a veil on production waiting to shatter. So our children take it upon themselves to traverse this veil and understand how long it will be until they can freely play in grasses, flowers, and leaves. They walk out onto the river, ice creaking as they take each careful step. Adults watch with smiles blanketing the river's edge. They will shout their grievances while the children play. They will shout their problems of others, of themselves, of the world at large. This wills care away the winter spirits. The children begin to play, dancing, playing games, tapping the ice for solidity. If a girl breaks the ice and falls in, she'll be married. If a boy falls, he will grow several inches. The water is frozen, but all are prepared, ready to pull the floundering youngling out with a group of etheral hands.

Once the play is done, all return to the together home for warm cocoa, fires, and music. They built this building slowly over the winder, its interior ice melting as they enjoy company. Kes are played with somber and sweet melodies, dancing over the air and filling lungs. The ice will be no more in the together home and all will find sleep. Upon the morning, the together home is made into a great bonfire, a farewell to another winter.

New

The events of any festival are in place: music, games, shows, and booths. It will take place along a river's edge, at the end of winter. A blanket will be laid at the edge of the icy water, becoming slowly soaked over the day. When the mood hits, one may walk to the blanket, stand atop it, and shout. They can shout anything, incoherent noises or grievances. Grievances are the most uses shouts. The festival affords safety, allowing anyone to say anything without consequence. That isnt' entirely true, rumors will spread and people will know, but the festival gives a shield from any immediate pushback, allowing anyone to finally say what's been on their mind.

Another fun thing the festival has is many, many, many fires. Bonfires, candles, and everything in between, even during the sayk light the fires are so numerous, so colorful, that the town is cas in a brightness reminiscent of the summer equinox. At night, well, it almost doesn't come across as night. Sure, the sky will be dark, but everything will be so well-lit that it's like the day never ended. For the people, they burn mostly wood, letters, and any kind of kindling the brought to the festival or a booth has provided. All fires are managed, though it's not uncommon for an uncontrollable fire to bite at people. There will be smiles for this fire, knowing that, though a booth is burning, it is managed and nothing important is lost.