The Menasha Joint School District Spanish Department has the privilege of hosting our second community-wide celebration of the Mexican holiday “Dia de los Muertos,” (Day of the Dead). This celebration is one of the most revered and festive events in the Mexican culture. Not to be confused with Halloween, Day of the Dead is observed on November 1st and 2nd. One would think that a holiday commemorating death would be somber and gloomy. On the contrary, Day of the Dead is a happy time filled with colorful decorations, cheerfully adorned skeletons and special foods. It is a special celebration set aside for remembering and paying tribute to those who have passed on. The festivities are often accompanied by mariachi bands and family or community gatherings.
Many of the Menasha Spanish teachers have had the opportunity to travel to Mexico to observe Day of the Dead firsthand. The exhibit was created to bring an awareness of this unique holiday to their students and to the community. Because of the enormous undertaking that this exhibit entails, it is held every three years. This year’s event, thanks to generous grants and donations, will be almost triple the size of the 2006 event and will fill the entire Menasha High School field house. Because we are fortunate enough to have a K-12 Spanish program, projects from all grade levels will be highlighted. Other departments such as art, woodworking, graphic arts, drama and English as a Second Language have joined forces to contribute to the exhibit.
Other components of our Dia de los Muertos celebration will include artwork, authentic crafts, cultural displays, multimedia presentations and a special “Kids’ Corner,” where children will be able to make some on the crafts, themselves. There will also be two special performances by Mariachi Estrella de Green Bay to compliment our exhibit.
Dia de los Muertos will be celebrated on November 2nd, 2009 in the field house of Menasha High School. Students will be touring the exhibit during the day from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. Over 200 schools, universities and technical colleges have been invited! The evening celebration, open to the public, will be held from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. The mariachi performances will be at 6 and 7 p.m. The entire event is bilingual and absolutely free of charge.
