Markwu (Malaysia)

The biggest motivator to make offerings during the annual event is to remind oneself that the deeds of support and comfort by those who have passed on are still remembered as humbling lessons of the fragility of life, touchstones of cultural humanity, and the unbroken thread of unspoken gratitude. All three transcend the time people have - which decreases year by year - for we will inevitably one day join the stream of those who have moved on.

Like many others, the Chinese like to close the loop of life.

It's great to see more and more people each year showing up for the festival. Modernization increases the value of cultural heritage and that should say something for humanity.