Come celebrate with us this traditional Mexican festivity with us. Mexican writer Maria Jose Evia, explains some common myths about this November fiesta and offers tips to join the celebration in her article “It’s not Mexican Halloween – The lowdown on Day of the Death”, publish in The Guardian newspaper. She explains: “Fundamentally, Day of the Dead is about believing that, for a precious few hours, our loved ones come back as spirits and we get to be with them one more time.”  How can we join the celebration? Maria Jose Evia writes “[t]here are many traditional ways to celebrate Day of the Dead – from visiting a loved one’s grave to attending mass, feasting with family and friends to creating an altar in your home  (place a picture of your loved one(s) in the centre, decorate it with flowers and their favourite foods and drinks, and lay a little path of flower petals and candles leading up to it, to guide their spirits).”

Jose Evia also points out that in Mexico, there’s no party without food and drink – something Mexicans take very seriously.  She explains that the focus for the Day of the Dead celebration is on the foods and drinks that loved ones who have passed enjoyed while they were alive.

At Esperance Community Arts we created an altar to celebrate this cultural festival, thanks to local community member Jimena Ramon Montemayor who has offered to share some of the traditions from her home in Yucatan. This took place from 31st of October to 2nd of November at Esperance Community Arts Space (67 Dempster St).