Churches, schools celebrate Dia de los Muertos
Author: Debbie Pfeiffer Trunnell, Staff Writer
SAN BERNARDINO - Since last Thursday, a steady stream of families have dropped off pictures of deceased loved ones, fruit and flowers at the huge colorful altar in a downtown mission.
The creation of the altar - or ofrenda - at the Central City Lutheran Mission is one of many ways people in the San Bernardino area are celebrating Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead.
"It is very important in this neighborhood which is about 92 percent Latino to stick to these traditions and build unity and values in the community," said Socorro Quinones, program director of La Plaza Comunitaria, the nonprofit which created the altar.
The creation of the altar - or ofrenda - at the Central City Lutheran Mission is one of many ways people in the San Bernardino area are celebrating Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead.
"It is very important in this neighborhood which is about 92 percent Latino to stick to these traditions and build unity and values in the community," said Socorro Quinones, program director of La Plaza Comunitaria, the nonprofit which created the altar.
Celebrated for thousands of years in Mexico and more recently in this country, Day of the Dead, held Nov. 1 and 2, focuses on paying tribute to dead family members in a joyful fashion.
The altar at the downtown mission, on view in the evening hours through Thursday, is three levels, representing earth, the afterlife and Heaven.
On the highest sits a statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe gazing down at photographs of the deceased, surrounded by fruit and marigolds.
During visits, community members are also invited to buy tamales and champurrado, a Mexican hot chocolate drink.
"There are never any tears when the families come, always laughter because they feel they are with the spirits," Quinones said.
Sixth through eighth-grade students at Chavez Middle School also created altars recognizing deceased family members and such celebrities as Michael Jackson and Selena under the direction of Spanish teacher Jennifer Henao.
The artwork was on display Tuesday, along with the works of Mexican printmaker Jose Posada.
"It has been an awesome experience for our Latino students, because it's a way for them to get in touch with their roots and culture and for others to expose them to this culture," Henao said.
At Cal State San Bernardino, there was an altar display as well as music and poetry readings, held by students in the world language and literature department.
In recent weeks a Dia de los Muertos exhibit has also been growing at the Gresham Art Gallery at San Bernardino Valley College.
An uplifting reception was held there on Tuesday afternoon to mark the day.
"It's really not about death," said David Rosales, director of the art gallery. "It's about remembering the family, past and things that aren't here anymore."
The altar at the downtown mission, on view in the evening hours through Thursday, is three levels, representing earth, the afterlife and Heaven.
On the highest sits a statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe gazing down at photographs of the deceased, surrounded by fruit and marigolds.
During visits, community members are also invited to buy tamales and champurrado, a Mexican hot chocolate drink.
"There are never any tears when the families come, always laughter because they feel they are with the spirits," Quinones said.
Sixth through eighth-grade students at Chavez Middle School also created altars recognizing deceased family members and such celebrities as Michael Jackson and Selena under the direction of Spanish teacher Jennifer Henao.
The artwork was on display Tuesday, along with the works of Mexican printmaker Jose Posada.
"It has been an awesome experience for our Latino students, because it's a way for them to get in touch with their roots and culture and for others to expose them to this culture," Henao said.
At Cal State San Bernardino, there was an altar display as well as music and poetry readings, held by students in the world language and literature department.
In recent weeks a Dia de los Muertos exhibit has also been growing at the Gresham Art Gallery at San Bernardino Valley College.
An uplifting reception was held there on Tuesday afternoon to mark the day.
"It's really not about death," said David Rosales, director of the art gallery. "It's about remembering the family, past and things that aren't here anymore."
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