Dia de los Muertos

Dia de Los Muertos By Adrienne Davis In Mexico, it has only been in recent years that Halloween has been celebrated, as the more traditional holiday is a beautiful one called Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead). It is a celebration of our loved ones passed, where we create incredibly intricate altars in memory of our precious family and friends who have passed on to the other side. This spiritual celebration brings families together, where they join at their loved one’s resting place in the cemetery – the families bring offerings of food and beverage, precious objects, and traditional artifacts such as decorated sugar skulls and clay bowls; the favorite foods and photos of the deceased; flowers and candles; religious artifacts, prayers, blessings, and incense; a special and traditional “pan de muerto” and more – each altar is unique in its own way based on each family’s beliefs and celebrations. Families gather, sometimes for the entire night, by their loved one’s grave to share food and drinks, play music, and recount stories of their beloved. As a child growing up in Mexico, we celebrated Dia de Los Muertos every year at school, where we were taught the importance of this holiday. Each class would build a beautiful altar, where we were invited to bring photos of any of our departed family or friends and offerings to honor the altar. We would build the altars around the school courtyard for viewing, but also as a fun way to learn about the traditions – to see who could build the most traditional and most creative altar. The celebration is not only to honor the departed, but also to call forth their spirits to visit those left behind. The food and drink offerings are meant to entice the spirits, and the music, flowers, incense, and stories to please them and bring them joy. [caption id="attachment_1851" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Artistic shot of sugar skull girl with dead roses, selective focus on rose[/caption] El Jardín del Arte, El Ganzo, La Casa de la Cultura, Instituto Sudcaliforniano de Cultura, El teatro del Pueblo, la música en vivo y otras hierbas… The evolution of art through time and space expresses an emotional story of human transformation. Art speaks of how we relate to each other, the Self, and the Universe. Art is the voice of freedom; a freedom sometimes held captive by the ideologies about what art is. Art scholars and art entrepreneurs understand tradition and honour, a lineage of technique and method, giving deep analysis to each work before they announce it as art. The curation of art is a noble and ancient profession, one respected by collectors and historians, museums and art galleries. Art can be a business of great wealth. Dad al César lo que es del César, y a Dios lo que es de Dios. The truth is that there is an artist in each one of us, and the need to express and share with others what we create is alive in all of us. Without the intention to ignore what the ‘experts’ value as artistic, people keep creating in spite of it. And why not? Even if grandiosity and transcendence in the art world seems to require a walk into the wild side of madness, art still remains the voice of freedom. And freedom is the art of living in peace. El jardín de Arte in downtown San José gives life to our beautiful zócalo. Artists and artisans, musicians and dancers, makers of foodies and goodies, family and friends all gather as many generations of Mexicans have gathered in plazas throughout centuries, because art in the zócalo is a Mexican tradition. You will enjoy it. Patron of the arts El Ganzo has a unique artist lineup. Ciler, October 4 – 11; Diana y Mariana Garcia, November 11 – 16; Jenaro de Rosenzwieg, November 5 – 11; Lourdes Villagomez, November 5 – 11 – Edgar Muñóz, November 5 – 11; Stormtroopers, December 11 – 14; Jenaro de Rosenzwieg, December 11 – 14; Saner, December 11 – 20; and Desmon Mason. La Casa de La Cultura in historic downtown is a center for the arts. Through ballet, contemporary dance, music, paint, reading, theater and martial arts, they cultivate peace and higher education in our community. El Instituto Sudcaliforniano de Cultura  presents a monthly Art program that includes theater, music, dance, film, book readings, exhibits, radio, plus unique events to present independent artists, such as our Youth Orchestra. El teatro del pueblo keeps alive the tradition of outdoor entertainment. There is a beautiful stage by the kiosk at the zócalo, if anything artistic is presented by the town, it will usually happen here. Don’t miss Día de los Muertos festivities. Música en vivo y otras hierbas. Mexico, like the rest of the world, is a musical country. We love the encounter of the bohemian spirit, usually accompanied by food and drinks, in an enchanted space that reminds us we are friends to each other. After a day of good work, it is the Mexican way to take rest, and sing a song. El arte es vida. Being mindful of what we create, we create Los Cabos. Smiles. * [caption id="attachment_1850" align="alignnone" width="300"] Traditional mexican Day of the dead altar with sugar skulls and candles[/caption]]]>