Day of the Dead event celebrates Mexican culture

Students and faculty joined together to celebrate Day of the Dead, a tradition sacred to the Mexican community. The holiday celebrates life and honors the deceased. 

Eight organizations, including the Latinx Student Alliance, the Spanish club, the Latin America and Latino Studies Program and Greek life organizations, hosted the event in Williams Hall on Nov. 1. 

There were various stations for attendees to engage with Mexican culture. Activities included writing reflections about ancestral connections and letters to loved ones, honoring the deceased at the “ofrenda,” cutting tissue paper to make “papel picado,” face painting and a photobooth. 

The ofrenda — an altar dedicated to someone who has died — is a significant Day of the Dead symbol. Each one includes water, wind, earth and fire to represent the elements of life. 

Attendees were invited to place pictures or significant objects on the ofrenda to honor loved ones. 

An ofrenda sits in one corner of Williams Hall during the Day of the Dead celebration Nov. 1. The alter held photos and momentos from lost loved ones and was decorated with traditional Mexican objects. (Andrea Palladino/ B&W Staff)

Josue Benitez, ‘27, is the event coordinator for Fuerza Mexicana, a club celebrating Mexican culture. He helped create the station where participants wrote reflections about their ancestry. At the station, a series of prompts asked participants about their ancestors, personal life and personal connection to Day of the Dead. 

He said attendees were able to write something meaningful and thoughtful about someone who passed away. 

“It doesn’t even have to be your own family member, but someone meaningful in your life or in general,” Benitez said.

Attendees could also make their own papel picado, a traditional banner that represents the wind, using various colored papers. Each color used in the banner is meaningful and helps guide the spirit. 

Ranni Torrez, ‘27, attended the event and said making papel picado was important to him because of its symbolism. 

“The picados are significant in the altars and the element of wind,” Torrez said. They are typically hung up so they can move through the wind and show a sense of colorfulness and vibrancy,” Torrez said.

Torrez said he heard about the event through a friend and saw it as a rare opportunity to celebrate his traditions. 

“It is one of the main days of my culture, and I don’t have a lot of time to do traditional stuff,” Torrez said. “It’s a good way for Lehigh to let us show others that we still have a culture despite us being in an area that’s predominantly Dominican and Puerto Rican.” 

Torrez, a Chicago native, said he celebrates Day of the Dead at home, and he was glad the celebration gave him the opportunity to celebrate his culture in an easy and budget-friendly way.

“The event means a lot to me,” Torrez said. “It’s kind of the only way I see Día de los Muertos here in the states. I don’t have time to go back home, and when I’m here there’s not much for me to do.”

Jomark Moreno, ‘25, a Fuerza Mexicana member, said he attended the event to honor the dead and,  more importantly, to celebrate life. 

He said he comes from a traditional household and grew up celebrating the holiday when his family would visit Mexico. 

“We recognize people who we lost along the way and we like to make sure to celebrate their life and remember them in any way we can,” Moreno said.