The Día de Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, event in Kennett Square this year celebrates roots and honors immigrants who lost their lives searching for a better future.

Casa Guanajuato Kennett Square, a local nonprofit dedicated to promoting Latin American art and culture, is once again hosting one of the region’s most exciting and vibrant Día de Los Muertos celebrations this weekend at 600 South Broad Street, Kennett Square. The event will feature an art exhibit with traditional altars, music and dance performances, and workshops. The festivities begin at 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 28 and continue from 1 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29.

“The theme for this year’s Día de Los Muertos event is the name of a song by Mexican artist Natalia Laforcade, Hasta la Raíz (“to the root),” says event coordinator and Casa Guanajuato secretary Gonzalo Cano. “The song describes everything that reminds us of our country of origin, but at the same time it’s a goodbye song to someone we love. The main altar, or ‘offering,’ is in memory of the immigrants who lost their lives searching for a better future.”

Members of Casa Guanajuato Kennett Square have been working for months to put together beautiful artwork and altars. One of the many moving elements of this traditional event is the community altar, or ofrenda. People are welcome to bring pictures of their loved ones who have passed away to leave on the altar. They can also light a candle in memory of loved ones and leave a message on a butterfly (provided at the entrance).

The art exhibit this year will include “Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary,” a sculpture by Casa Guanajuato member Martha Castillo. “Monarch butterflies represent the souls of deceased relatives who come to visit their families,” says Cano. “This work also raises awareness about the care of this species that is in danger of extinction.”

“The 53,” a sculpture of colorful skulls in memory of the 53 immigrants who died in a trailer truck in Texas, features skulls painted by The Garage in Avondale. 

Raúl Toledo of Kennett Multimedia has created another sculpture for the event entitled Catrina Mensajera (“the messenger Catrina”). People will be invited to leave a message of love, a prayer, or some thought for loved ones who have passed away as part of this installation.

Sharing the history of this ancient cultural tradition is always an important part of Día de Los Muertos, and this year artist and designer Rosa Ruiz has created a pre-Hispanic altar with a Tzompantli (Aztec wall with colorful skulls) to represent the way the Aztecs made their altars.

KACS will also be creating an altar for the event with the names of relatives of volunteers and staff who have passed away. “This altar reminds us to be more empathic with other members of our community,” says Cano.

Performances for Día de Los Muertos this year will include Eva Morales singing traditional songs on Friday, Oct. 28, at 6 p.m. on the third floor of the borough building at 600 South Broad Street. Morales will wear a special dress that clothing designer Julieta Zavala has created for the event.

On Saturday, there will be several performances outside at 600 South Broad Street: Coco characters will be performing at 6 p.m., followed by Casa Guanajuato’s own dance group, Danza Tenochtli, performing some traditional dances as well as a special dance for the occasion at 7 p.m., and live music with the band Grupo Kilated de Oro at 7:30.  

Casa Guanajuato members are also leading five different fun and educational workshops for adults and children as part of Día de Los Muertos 2022. The workshops celebrate the legends, memories, and flavors of Hispanic culture and include workshops teaching participants how to make Venezuelan arepas, Mexican Día de los Muertos bread, and Guatemalan chuchitos, in addition to a workshop on creating papier-mâché masks and another on making a skull using a quilling technique.  

Spaces are limited—find full details and sign-ups for these workshops here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0e4ca5a62ca5f5c43-diademuertos

Casa Guanajuato Kennett Square also hosts Kennett Square’s renowned Cinco de Mayo festival and Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations as well as other events throughout the year. Follow them on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CasaGuanajuatoKS