For the first three days of November, campus celebrations were held to mark Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), an annual tradition marked across Latin America, but mainly in Mexico, that honors the lives of loved ones who have passed away. The spirits of the dead are believed to return home and spend time with their relatives on these days.
“Día de los Muertos is a tradition, culture, religious practice – all of the above,” said senior Gissell Arevalo Martinez, lead commissioner for Concordia’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commission (DEIC).
DEIC sponsored the event with help from the LatinX Organization for Achievement and El Círculo Hispano student groups.
The celebration included music, performances, readings, and face painting. Students were able to add personal items to an altar. Symbolic marigolds, candles, salt, papel picado (tissue-paper designs), and calaveras (skulls) were displayed as part of the festivity.
Arevalo Martinez wanted to create a sense of belonging for students on campus and educate those who haven’t been exposed to this tradition.
“There’s no walking on eggshells here,” Arevalo Martinez said. “It’s all very open and welcoming. We want everyone to participate.”
“What’s great is that it can connect with people who aren’t a part of the tradition because it's a celebration,” she added.