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WIU Casa Latina Cultural Center to host Dia de Los Muertos Celebration Today

November 2, 2023

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MACOMB, IL - - Casa Latina, in collaboration with Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. and Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc. at Western Illinois University, will celebrate Día de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) from 7-10 p.m. today, Nov. 2 in the Multicultural Center.

"Dia De Los Muertos (or Day of the Dead) is a two-day holiday that's meant to reunite the living with their dead loved ones," said WIU Casa Latina Graduate Assistants Elizabeth Morales. "Although it is widely associated with Mexico, the holiday is celebrated in several Latin American countries. Friends and family members that have passed are honored with altars/ofrendas (offerings), which are believed to encourage visits from those who have passed. We hope that through this event we can give the students, faculty and community members an opportunity to celebrate this day in a welcoming and benevolent environment. By doing so, we can come together and celebrate the lives of those who have passed away and truly value their memory as a community."

The celebration at WIU will include food, face painting, bracelet making and other activities as well as performances by the Tradición Latin Dance Team and WIU Student Jon'a Levi. The evening will also celebrate the Dia De Los Muertos tradition of an altar to honor those who have passed. Students, faculty and community members will be welcome to bring pictures of their loved ones to place in the altar at the event.

The event is presented by the Dia de los Muertos Planning Committee and sponsored by Council of Student Activity Funds (CSAF), Casa Latina, Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority Inc. and Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc. Beta Psi Chapter.

For more information, call the Casa Latina Resource Center at (309) 298-3379 or email casa@wiu.edu.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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