Una Mano Amiga & Utah Cultural Celebration Center Unveil 'Day of the Dead' Altar Display Today

Una Mano Amiga and The Utah Cultural Celebration Center present the 10th annual Day of the Dead altar display and community gathering, a folk art exhibit and event recognizing this significant and expressive Mexican holiday. The free celebration features a variety of exciting, educational, and hands-on activities for the whole family.

The altar will be on display beginning today, October 28 - November 7, 2013, Mon - Thurs, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. and by arrangement. The Day of the Dead Celebration is set for November 2, 2013 from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center, 1355 West 3100 South. Everyone is invited to the altar display and Day of the Dead celebration free of charge.

The Day of the Dead is actually a two-day Mexican holiday celebrated November 1-2. For two days and nights families and friends gather together with other community members to pay respects to and remember the dead. Altars are constructed at gravesites or in homes with food, beverages and other items once owned or appreciated by the deceased. It is believed that for these two nights - one for children; the other for adults - the spirits of the dead return to be with family and friends. The more elaborate the altar, the more likely the dead will return to be with loved ones once again. Objects representing the person in real life are used to entice the spirit to travel great lengths to return to earth, if only for one night. Day of the Dead bread, flowers, water, mirrors, sugar skulls, candles, skeletons and Catholic iconography are traditional items used as part of Day of the Dead altars. The rituals and altar construction date back to the ancient Aztecs, ancestors to Mexicans.

On November 2, the community altar will be on display at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center, along with many activities and events, including traditional Mexican food, music, dance ceremonies, games and paper flower making/sugar skull decorating for kids. Bring the whole family to experience this one-of-a-kind celebration of Mexican heritage and culture here in Utah.

For more information about this and events or exhibits at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center, please call 801-965-5100 or visit www.culturalcelebration.org, 'like' us on facebook at facebook.com/CulturalCelebration or follow us on twitter @WVCUCCC.