Join the Smithsonian Latino Center in a celebration of life and death. Walk the path of the spirits, participate in art installations by Latino artists, explore different Day of the Dead/Día de los Muertos cultural practices, and learn about the legend of la Llorona, our highlighted mythological figure.

This year’s Día de los Muertos celebrations include:

Día de los Muertos Opening Procession led by Xanath Caraza as La Llorona

Interactive art installations: “The Refle-Action Alley/El Callejón de la Refle-Acción” by Yancy Villa-Calvo and “The Immortal Cacao Tree” by Frida Larios

Meaning of the Ofrenda workshops exploring the cultural significance of the altar and the Day of the Dead practices

Dead Poets Open Mic featuring readings by scholar and writer Xanath Caraza, as well as readings by community members

Community Ofrenda building

Augmented Reality demonstrations featuring the Smithsonian Latino Center’s Day of the Dead transmedia collections

SCHEDULE:

Nov. 2, 7:00 pm

– Lighting ceremony of the Community Ofrenda
– Interactive art installations by Yancy Villa-Calvo & Frida Larios

Nov. 3, 6:30 pm

– Día de los Muertos procession led by Xanath Caraza as La Llorona
– The Storyteller Presents: The Meaning of the Ofrenda by Xanath Caraza, introducing La Llorona

Nov. 3rd, 7:00 pm Dead Poets Open Mic

– Readings by scholar and writer, Xanath Caraza. Community open mic.

Nov. 4th 11:30 am Meaning of the Ofrenda Workshop

– The Storyteller Presents: The Meaning of the Ofrenda by Xanath Caraza, introducing La Llorona

Day of the Dead is celebrated throughout Mexico, Central America and in many Latino communities in the U.S. as a way to honor family and friends that have passed away. This is done by creating personal or community altars that include traditional foods, sugar skulls, marigolds and personal items and materials that the deceased enjoyed while they were alive.

The Smithsonian Latino Center ensures Latino contributions to arts, sciences and the humanities are highlighted, understood and advanced through the development and support of public programs, scholarly research, museum collections and educational opportunities at the Smithsonian Institution and its affiliated organizations across the U.S. For more information about the Latino Center and all of its Day of the Dead programs and educational resources, visit latino.si.edu.

Generous support for this project provided by Target.