Hutchins Library News Blog

Once again, the HOP (Hispanic Outreach Project), out of CELTS (Center for Excellence in Learning Through Service), brings us the beautiful and traditional display for Dia de los Muertos. The display can be viewed during regular library hours, and it will be open through the first week of November 2024. It is free and open to the public.

HOP provided the following statement and description of this tradition:

Dia de los Muertos

October 31st-November 2

Dia de los Muertos brings families together to remember, honor, and celebrate deceased loved ones. This day is celebrated in many Latin American countries. Dia de los Muertos is NOT the equivalent of Halloween.

Families build altars to honor their ancestors. These altars are filled with pan de muerto (bread for th dead), favorite foods of the loved ones, beverages (including alcohol), sugar skulls, incense (aromatic tree resin that is burned to produce incense), toys, and candles.

The flower associated with Dia de los Muertos is the marigold (Cempasuchil). Paths are made with marigold petals to guide the souls to the altar.

October 31st: The souls of children (angelitos).

November 1: The souls of adults.

November 2: The souls depart.

Hutchins Library is pleased to announced that Hispanic Outreach Project (HOP), out of CELTS, has set up an altar and display for Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). The altar is set up at the library's entrance on the main floor. It can be viewed during library regular hours.

Here is some information on the display and tradition and some photos provided by HOP.

Text from the flyer:

Dia de los Muertos

October 31st-November 2

Dia de los Muertos bring families together to remember, honor, and celebrate deceased loved ones. This day is celebrated in many Latin American countries. Dia de los Muertos is NOT the equivalent of Halloween.

Families build altars to honor their ancestors. These altars are filled with pan de muerto (bread for the dead), favorite foods of the loved ones, beverages (including alcohol), sugar skulls, incense (aromatic tree resin that is burned to produce incense), toys, and candles.

The flower associated with Dia de los Muertos is the marigold (Cempasuchil). Paths are made with marigold petals to guide the souls to the altar.

October 31st; The souls of children (angelitos).

November 1st: The souls of adults.

November 2: The souls depart.

Berea College's Hispanic Outreach Project (HOP), a program of the Center for Excellence in Learning Through Service (CELTS), is sponsoring a display honoring Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) at Hutchins Library. The display is located in the library's main floor, and it can be viewed during regular library hours.

The display runs from October 18, 2018 to November 8, 2018.

From HOP's informational flyer:

"Although celebrated throughout Latin America, The Day of the Dead (also known as el Dia de los Muertos) is mostly associated with Mexico and is a holiday dedicated to honoring of the dead. It is not supposed to be creepy, but rather is a unifying celebration of loved ones who have passed on. Although labeled as the day of the dead, it is actually composed of three days: Halloween, Dia de los Angelitos (Day of Little Angels), and All Soul's Day which is also Day of the Dead."

This display is free and open to the public.

Below are some photos from the display: