Month: November 2018

Día de los Muertos:

“Day of the Dead is an opportunity to remember those who are no longer with us and, in doing so, keep their spirits alive. I like to think about the afterlife as two different worlds – one inhabited by people who are no longer living but continue to be remembered by friends and relatives, and the other inhabited by those who have been forgotten. The world of those who are remembered is filled with joy and celebration, whereas the world of the forgotten is filled with darkness and despair. And I ask myself, ‘Which of these worlds would I want for my loved ones?’ Day of the Dead is a way for me to actively allow the memories of loved ones to continue to guide and influence my life. As my children help create altars each year, they learn about loved ones they never had the opportunity to meet. Community altars, such as this one, provide an opportunity for us all to connect with the rich historical and cultural roots of our ancestors.”

— Artist Monica Vega, from Michoacan, Mexico, a region with a strong and longstanding tradition of Día de los Muertos