The Día de los Muertos, or in English Day of the Dead, event at the Southern Utah Museum of Art began on Oct. 27 and went through Nov. 1.
The Day of the Dead festival celebrates the lives of those who have passed on, and it was a week-long event this year.
There was a new activity each day. At the beginning of the week, SUMA gave people in the community materials to make their own ofrendas, followed by a screening of the ¨Book of Life.” The celebration ended with a performance by the mariachi band Fuego de Utah, after which Ballet Folkórico Herencia Hispana represented their culture through dance.
This year was the 8th annual celebration of Día de los Muertos. Día de los Muertos in Southern Utah has been extended to a week-long event as there has been success in the past, according to Jason Moodie, director of learning and visitor experience at SUMA.
With the addition of creating community ofrendas and the cultural exchange, the Día de los Muertos celebration has drawn more attention in Cedar City, Utah. Moodie said that bread is given out instead to represent the spirits of those who have passed on. This symbolism is to welcome those departed loved ones.
Día de los Muertos plays on the details of the holiday with the colors of the skirts and mariachi bands. SUMA partnered with SUU and other organizations in the community, such as the Frehner Museum, to bring these festivities to life.
The goal of SUMA is to seek a greater connection with SUU and the community. You can learn more about SUMA from their website and Instagram page.
