Tonight is the annual Day of the Dead Celebration at the Phinney Center. Día de los Muertos is a traditional Mexican celebration of life and death. A candlelight procession begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Phinney Center. That’s followed by live music and dance, a gallery show, poetry reading, craft activities, and more.
In Mexico, El Día de los Muertos is a festive and family-centered event, traditionally held on Nov. 1st (Day of the Little Angels) and 2nd (Day of the Dead or all Soul’s Day in Christian tradition). Día de los Muertos celebrations emphasize life and death as part of the same cycle and regard death on friendly and intimate terms. According to beliefs rooted in pre-Columbian traditions, on Dia de los Muertos, the veil between life and death is at its thinnest and the dead can be lured back to us through the scent of marigolds and the temptation of offerings of favorite food and drink. In certain parts of Mexico, an important facet of this celebration is the oferenda, or personal altar, built both in family homes and/or over the graves of loved ones. Traditionally, photographs of the dead are at the altar center, around which are placed offerings of food, drink, candles, flowers, sugar skulls, and personal mementoes. All these items are presented in beautiful displays to honor the returning souls.
