Day of the Dead, the Celebration that Lives in the Heart of Our Community
by rodrigo sánchez
As people celebrated Halloween, a holiday that originates from pagan traditions in which Celtic culture celebrated the end of summer and ushered in winter, over the tradition called Samhain (“sow-wen”), the Church of the Virgin of Guadalupe in Anchorage took advantage of the date to incorporate elements of Mexican culture and adorn the reception room with altars honoring the tradition of the Day of the Dead. Among the altars were photos of relatives and loved ones, including family members and even pets that had passed away.
Outside the church, people in costumes were giving candy from their cars, which they were also using to participate in the car decoration contest. The beautiful thing was seeing the community come together to celebrate an occasion that, although it may seem far removed from ancient Mexican cultural practices, still promotes diversity and effort, allowing children to enjoy wearing their costumes and express themselves.
Among all of this, a family from the community of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church made an effort to raise funds for someone from the Hispanic community who is currently battling cancer. Thanks to the support of loved ones, it is known that they will soon receive chemotherapy treatment.
When given the opportunity to speak with those selling food, who were also dressed in makeup and skull masks, a traditional aspect of the Day of the Dead celebrations, from the initial interaction, it was evident that this family had a deep connection to Mexico and sold food from a position of love. The sale catered to various tastes, offering hot dogs and fries, a classic meal that is an easy option for the entire community. In addition to the food, the Hispanic community’s taste was reflected in the sale of pan de muerto, a traditional sweet bread on this occasion, which remains a significant element of the Day of the Dead celebrations. While this event may have been small compared to other activities that were widely promoted, the willingness and effort to help one another in the community are invaluable, as the world is increasingly losing its sense of caring and community support.
