Día de los Muertos is an ominous title, and for good reason, as this means Day of the Dead in Spanish. However, this morbid sounding label is not what you think, and is not like the American tradition of Halloween. This Mexican holiday does not celebrate dressing up in random costumes and going out to get candy at strange people’s doors. It is instead a holiday that is celebrated to remember lost loved ones and all those who have departed this life, as well as for remembering our ancestors and celebrating their lives.
On Saturday Oct. 18, the Longwood Center for the Visual Arts (LCVA) hosted their annual Día de los Muertos Free Family Workshop where families and Longwood students came to participate in a variety of ways. Several students assisted by volunteering their time to run various stations from candy skulls, to paper picados and paper marigolds. Not only did Longwood students run the stations, they also helped younger children and parents by explaining and demonstrating how to complete the various arts and crafts.
The Longwood Company of Belly Dancers were present to give dance demonstrations and entertain the children with their face paint and outfits. Arts and crafts abounded at the event with five different craft stations, as well as a pumpkin craving and face painting station. Children could enjoy making different crafts to help them understand what the festival was truly about.
Flowers also played a significant role in the event as they dominated the eye when one first walked into the building. The Mexican Marigold was by far the most visible, and with a bright orange hue, it captured your attention. The most prominent feature of this event was the oferendas, which was similar to the altars used which people could pay their respects to the dearly departed. Many idols from different religions were placed upon this altar and this brought a sense of real community to the gathering.
The attendance for the event reached over 200 people, which is a new record for the event as people came from all over the community to see what the Day of the Dead was about, and to experience something outside of their own culture.
Greek life was also a huge part of this event. Many brothers and sisters of the various fraternities and sororities were there to support and assist the LCVA.
While this event may not have appealed to some at first, it quickly grew on the guests, giving them the opportunity to really appreciate the significance of the event and the dedication of those who put it together. The LCVA did an excellent job with this event and made everyone who attended feel welcome. They also made the somber event an exciting one and made it into a celebration, rather than a remembrance.
With all of these thoughts in mind, maybe Día de los Muertos will become a more widespread and respected celebration.
This event would not have been made possible without the staff members of the LCVA, as well as the numerous student volunteers who gave up their time. The next Free Family Workshop will be on Dec. 6, and its theme will be a Winter Wonderland.
