Guided Tour of the Day of the Dead Altar at the Mexican Cultural Institute, Nov. 8

AAFSW cordially invites you to a guided tour of a fascinating exhibition at the Mexican Cultural
Institute’s annual Day of the Dead Altar, one of Mexico's most famous events. This well-known community event features an intricate altar by the artist Enrique Quiroz.
 
The guided tour will take place on Friday, November 8, at 12:00 p.m. at the Mexican Cultural
Institute located at 2829 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009. There is no fee.
 
You are welcome to join us after the tour for lunch at a Mexican Restaurant, El
Habanero, located on 14th Street.Please RSVP by Wednesday, November 6  to the  office@aafsw.org. There  is no fee.
 

EL Altar de muertos

 
El altar de muertos is composed of basic elements whose valuable meaning has made it one of
the most important parts of the celebration of the dead; It is believed that the souls return to
enjoy the dishes, to taste the fruit and to contemplate the cempasuchil flower that is offered to
them.

In this way, living and dead are reunited in a dimension that allows them to live together.
Offerings are placed on a table with two levels that symbolize heaven and earth.
If there are three levels, purgatory is added. The largest tables have seven levels, they
represent the steps to reach eternal rest.
 
Main elements in the Altar de muertos
 
1.-Water.-  2.- Candles, (cirios),- 3- Copal e incienso,-  4. Cempasúchil Flower whose smell
and color directs souls to your home.-  5-,Alhelí y nube -(type of flower),-  6.- Arch,  7- Cross
(Cruz),- 8. Bread, – 9- Petate,- 10- Photograph of the dead, – 11. Stewed food or favorite
dish ,  12- Calaveritas,  13- Izcuintl,  14-, and 15- Papel picado (Shredded paper)
 
The day of the dead coincides with the passage of Monarch butterflies in Mexico. According to
legends, they carry the spirits of the dead on their wings, helping them to visit the world of the
living.
 
Do not miss this unique exhibit of the Altar of the Dead. I look forward to seeing  you there.
 
Sheila Switzer
AAFSW Program Chair