Imperial Valley Press

DAY OF THE DEAD

comes to life to honor ancestors

- BY WILLIAM ROLLER

EL CENTRO — Day of the Dead celebratio­n just gets bigger and better here. As word gets out, people want to share memories of family who have passed on.

The third Dia De Los Muertos at the Old Post Office Pavilion was a collaborat­ive effort on part of the city of El Centro and Mexican Consulate.

The Alters and Art exhibit opened on Oct. 10 and ran through Friday. After volunteeri­ng for years to build altars in private homes, Marcela Miranda Silva approached the city and consulate, and they both pledged their support.

“It honors our loved ones, but what’s most important is creating and displaying the altar,” said Silva. “The altar should include everything your loved one cherished in life. And I must emphasize, it is a very colorful celebratio­n. But the purpose of our event is to educate the community on the history.”

Silva added, she aspires to have neighborin­g cities to pull together for a large parade on a future Day of the Dead. The actual holiday is Nov. 1 and 2. The first day is for the “innocents” or children while the second commemorat­es adults. For those interested to help out future holidays, visit the city’s Facebook page and search for “Dias De Los Muertos Celebratio­n.”

Consul Carlos Flores Vizcarra of the Mexican Consulate in Calexico remarked Day of the Dead is deeply rooted in southern Mexico, though it travels with migration and brings not only a labor force, but bedrock traditions celebrated throughout Latin America. “We want to make this more transparen­t,” said Flores Vizcarra. “It originated with the Aztecs and celebrated their struggles in combat, yet it is a way to revere those who passed.”

Explaining the meaning of his altar, Bob Diaz strove to uphold tradition. He stressed he liked to remind young people to remember their ancestors and pass on the details of their life to younger generation­s.

“They may remember the name of an uncle or grandparen­t, but they don’t know what their favorite colors, foods or fragrances were, the things that characteri­ze them,” said Diaz. “I use bright colors because that’s what my mother liked. And she was a religious person, so that’s where the crosses come in. But it’s also important to pass it on to others.” Adelina Gonzalez was dressed in traditiona­l attire since she is a dancer with Las Flores del Valle Ballet Folklorico. She always made an altar at home for her mother who passed away 32 years ago. Neverthele­ss, it is always a joyous occasion to honor and never forget family members.

“The altars usually include Pan de Muerto and other foods the deceased liked,” said Gonzalez. “They also include a candle to light the path in the afterlife and water, but also flowers. Mexican Marigolds or cempasuchi­l are favored. That’s why we do these activities so traditions don’t get lost.”

Kim Alfaro, artist at Casa de la Cultura, attended the OPOP along with her husband Alan Massey and explained that the altar she help build in memory of Alan’s father and brother, who were both lost 12 years ago in the same automobile accident. Alan had placed a DVD copy of Star Wars and a Beatles album because they were fans.

“I don’t believe in the religious part of it, but I do believe in rememberin­g family members,” Kim emphasized.

 ?? WILLIAM ROLLER PHOTO ?? Andrea Dennis, member of Seniors Organizing Services, at the third annual Day of the Dead celebratio­n on Friday in El Centro.
WILLIAM ROLLER PHOTO Andrea Dennis, member of Seniors Organizing Services, at the third annual Day of the Dead celebratio­n on Friday in El Centro.
 ?? WILLIAM ROLLER PHOTO ?? Lisa Velasco (right), Brown Bag Cookies’ owner, has her face painted by Mireya Canderos at the third annual Day of the Dead celebratio­n on Friday in El Centro.
WILLIAM ROLLER PHOTO Lisa Velasco (right), Brown Bag Cookies’ owner, has her face painted by Mireya Canderos at the third annual Day of the Dead celebratio­n on Friday in El Centro.
 ?? WILLIAM ROLLER PHOTO ?? Frances Schroeder with her, La Catrina during the annual
Day of the Dead celebratio­n in El centro.
WILLIAM ROLLER PHOTO Frances Schroeder with her, La Catrina during the annual Day of the Dead celebratio­n in El centro.
 ??  ?? Bob Diaz (left), explains the elements of his alter at the third annual Day of the Dead celebratio­ns, Friday in El Centro. WILLIAM ROLLER PHOTO
Bob Diaz (left), explains the elements of his alter at the third annual Day of the Dead celebratio­ns, Friday in El Centro. WILLIAM ROLLER PHOTO

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