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Lantern parade lights up Festival of the Dead

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More than 200 people paid tribute to their loved ones at a lantern parade held in a Bradford district park.

A large model of a zombie with its head lying down and its hand outstretched

The Festival of the Dead parade, organised by the University of Bradford in collaboration with Cecil Green Arts, Bradford Death Cafe and Kynd, was at Northcliffe Park, Shipley, on Sunday 16 November.

Following a parade and a space for remembrance, the evening event ended with music from the Peace Artistes.

Two people wearing woolly hats and coats each holding a lit up lantern

People who attended Bradford’s first Festival of the Dead parade brought a lantern or candle, or an object to help them remember a loved one and their memories of those who have died.   

‘So moving’ 

Professor Karina Croucher, Professor of Archaeology, Heritage and Wellbeing at the University of Bradford, said: “It was so moving to see so many participants join us for the first Festival of the Dead in Bradford.

A series of lanterns lit up at night in a woodland with small momentoes

“More than 200 people joined us, many bringing lanterns they had made, to remember and celebrate those who have gone before us, creating a space and place for the dead in our lives.

“Words used by our participants to describe the event were fun, moving, memorable, unique, magical, communal, and poignant.”

a series of lit up lanterns at night

Weekly workshops 

A series of weekly workshops at City Library, Bradford, and New Church, Shipley, WomenZone, and Community Works, held in the run-up to the event, saw people make their own paper lantern to remember their loved ones, which became part of the parade.

As a strategic partner of Bradford 2025, Festival of the Dead was part of the University's own programme of activities, events and research that will contribute to Bradford’s year as the UK’s City of Culture.

a lit up large lantern above a number of small lanterns outside at night

The Festival of the Dead supports the University of Bradford’s goal to be a university that makes a positive difference in people’s lives. It brings together local communities, encourages creativity, and gives people a safe space to talk about important topics like grief and remembrance. By working with different groups and offering free workshops, the university is showing its commitment to wellbeing, inclusion, and being a caring and connected part of the city.