LATROBE, PA – The Saint Vincent College Department of Modern and Classical Languages and the Verostko Center for the Arts have sponsored the creation of an authentic community ofrenda to honor dearly departed family and friends in commemoration of Día de los Muertos, celebrated Nov. 1-2.
The ofrenda will be on display in the Verostko Center for the Arts, located on the second floor of the Dale P. Latimer Library, from Nov. 2 – Nov. 6 and Saint Vincent community members are invited to participate by leaving a photo or memento in honor of a deceased loved one.
Translated into “Day of the Dead,” Día de los Muertos is traced to the Aztec culture in Mexico and has been celebrated for nearly 3,000 years to honor deceased friends and family members. The ofrenda includes photos and mementos of the decedents with hopes of attracting a visit from the deceased.
Under the guidance of Dr. Doreen Blandino, chair of the Department of Modern and Classical Languages, Dr. Juan-Carlos Rivas, associate professor of Spanish, and Andrew Julo, VCA curator, students from the Saint Vincent Art Club and Spanish Club met weekly to create decorations for the ofrenda, including paper flowers and calaveras, or skulls. The ofrenda provided students the opportunity to participate in a creative activity to recognize how different cultures honor the deceased.
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PHOTO: Dr. Juan-Carlos Rivas, Dr. Doreen Blandino and Andrew Julo with the ofrenda in the Verostko Center for the Arts.
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