The Day of the Dead celebration (October 31-November 2) is deeply rooted in the ancient Pre-Cuauhtémoc cultures that believed in life after death and a spiritual existence in the cosmos. After the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century, the remembrance of the faithful departed was primarily observed on All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days (November 1 & 2) throughout Colonial Mexico. Today, many Mexican communities north of the US/Mexico border participate in the traditions of Day of the Dead by gathering in cultural spaces to honor and remember their loved ones with sugar skulls, marigolds and musical performances.
To find out more about the Day of the Dead, we suggest going to The National Museum of Mexican Art to see A Spiritual Legacy Exhibition, on display through December 9, 2018. The exhibition features traditional and contemporary works of art as well as installations celebrating the lives of loved ones who have passed away. Among those on display will be an ofrenda from the Parkland, Florida community representing the loss of 17 students and staff at the Stoneman Douglas High School in February 2018.
The Museum is located in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago at 1852 W. 19th Street. Admission to the Museum is free, and hours are Tuesday – Sunday, 10am to 5pm.
Visit the Museum’s web page at: http://nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org/
Source: National Museum of Mexican Art.
