Seguin celebrates Dia de Los Muertos

Seguin celebrates Dia de Los Muertos Main Photo

2 Nov 2022


News, City of Seguin, Quality of Life

Seguin, TX, USA / Seguin Today

Cindy Aguirre

Local library, businesses share in the celebration

(Seguin) — The two day celebration of Dia de Los Muertos, Day of the Dead continues today throughout Seguin.
Following the Mexican tradition and celebration of remembrance, the Seguin Public Library has again teamed up with the Seguin Main Street Program and Teatro de Artes de Juan Seguin to host this year’s community altar.

Utilizing the altar, the tradition works to honor the souls of late relatives with photos and things like their favorite drinks, music, arts and traditional cuisine. The tradition dates back over some 3,000 years. Following the 16th century acquisition of the Aztec Empire by the Spaniards, ceremonial rituals in honor of the dead became fall traditions.

Library Director Jacki Gross says the library has especially been impressed on how the entire community has come out to embrace this very special celebration.

“People have been putting up their photos and other offerings and I’m really pleased with the response. I want to encourage people to come by and take a look at it because it’s really a nice tribute to people who we have lost and who we want to reconnect with if just for a day or two. The response is even better this year than last year. I’m happy about that,” said Gross.

Gross says the cultural celebration for the last several years has grown in popularity. She says while they honor past loved ones, they are also grateful to be educating families on the tradition. She says families are especially encouraged to come out tonight to the library as they welcome a special guest from Teatro who will be speaking more on this growing tradition.

“We have a program. Dr. Yvonne De La Rosa will be giving a program about the significance of the altar and what the different parts mean because I think a lot of people don’t understand necessarily unless you grew up celebrating that — you might not understand the different parts of it and the significance to a lot of people from various Spanish speaking areas,” said Gross.

That program at the library gets underway today at 6 p.m.

Meanwhile, Labor of Love Restorations, a furniture repair and upholstery business, will also be presenting its first ever Day of the Dead Celebration today at 959 E. Kingsbury St. The event will include an altar, face painting, food, music, costume artists, mariachis and dancing. The event will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Palmer Mortuary on Tuesday also hosted its annual Dia de los Muertos event. Although festivities are over, its community ofrenda (altar) for Dia de los Muertos will still be up and available for viewing through Friday. The community is welcome to stop by and is encouraged to add items for their loved ones. Palmer Mortuary is located at 116 N. Austin St.

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