Walking up to the memorials on the gravel path of the park one is immediately greeted with the sound of Spanish music on the speakers and the fountain roaring. All around there are altars decorated in colorful flags with flowers, photographs, and candles. This is the 12th annual Dia de Los Muertos at the Gloria Molina Grand Park. The alters represent the belief in Mexican culture that loved ones who have passed come back to life on this one day. One special alter is highlighting the victims of the Maui Fire and Monterey Park shooting. While the traditions of the day differ in Mexico, it is important to see Los Angeles celebrating the culture today, as said by Fidelina Romero.
Fidelina Romero: “In Mexico, they go to the cemeteries that clean the graveyards and they take music. So it’s different.”
Romero is a Spanish teacher at Fairfax High School. She brought around 25 students from the Latino Student Union to the park today.
Fidelina Romero: “We wanted to expose the students to the culture because not a lot of them know about this place and Olvera Street, and especially during the celebration, we wanted them to see and learn a little bit more about it.”
The park was filled with visitors admiring the alters. Crista Campos is the marketing manager for park.
Crista Campos: “I’m actually from Oaxaca, and that’s kind of where I grew up on this. Because I’m not able to go back home right now, it’s that I get to see a little bit here and it’s just a nice little piece of home to be to be here at the park.”
While on a break from jury duty, Jennifer Patton who is the CEO of Inspire Change Collective is examining the ofrendas by soaking in the beauty of the colors and the photos of passed loved ones on display.
Jennifer Patton: “I heard this phrase, it’s like it’s the love that you didn’t get to share when they were here. So I think that there’s a really beautiful aspect of people getting to express that love, even if they’re not here physically because you have that sense of them being here spiritually.”
Elizabeth Fox is a tourist from Seattle who stumbled upon the alters today, but it ended up being exactly what she needed. For Elizabeth who lost her father and brother this past year, this was a great way for her to start the day and celebrate the lives of her family members.
Elizabeth Fox: “Visiting the altars and hopefully be there for the procession tonight. And just in thoughts and prayers and. You know, just celebrating with other people. There are people that have passed away and just a special day of remembrance.”
The Dia de Los Muertos alters will be open for the last day tomorrow from 9am to 9pm with a special showing of the 1960 Mexican film, Macario. For Annenberg Media I’m Madison Hogue.