MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — More than 100 people followed Aztec dancers through an arch of paper flowers into El Colegio High School on Saturday morning to visit altars that students had created to commemorate Día de Muertos or Day of the Dead.
“It’s a way of greeting our ancestors into our homes, back into our lives, even if they’re not here physically but spiritually,” said Daniela Rosales, a senior at the bilingual school in Minneapolis. “It’s about having the community come together and knowing that somehow, they might feel safe.”
This year, Day of the Dead celebrations hold extra significance for U.S. Latino communities due to the escalation of immigration enforcement, including in Minnesota. Fear of deportation loomed over the event, but attendance remained strong as participants expressed that the rituals fostered resilience and pride.
“We decided we can’t cave,” said Justin Ek, who helped establish a local Day of the Dead festival. “Cultural celebrations are essential for our souls.”
Participants decorated altars with colorful offerings like food, drinks, and flowers, aiming to reconnect with lost family ties. The blend of joyous remembrance with a hope for spiritual connection sets Día de Muertos apart from Halloween festivities and traditional Christian memorial days.
In recent years, these celebrations have evolved, addressing various social issues while uniting communities. This year’s events, underscored by significant art installations and live performances, witnessed vibrant turnouts, helping to heal collective sorrows and honoring those impacted by recent tragedies, including mass shootings and immigration-related losses.
“We are a community that supports each other, and it's vital for us to come together in joy, despite our fears,” noted one dancer, reinforcing the importance of cultural heritage and shared experiences in the face of adversity.
