International Institute hosts Day of the Dead celebration

Race, Identity & Faith

International Institute hosts first Day of the Dead celebration to connect with Latinos

漏 2024 外网天堂 | By Jeremy D. Goodwin

Published November 3, 2023 at 5:00 AM CDT

Leticia Seitz shows visiting community members various elements of a Dia de los Muertos altar she built during a Dia de los Muertos celebration on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023, at the International Institute of Metropolitan St. Louis in the Tower Grove East neighborhood of St. Louis. The celebration included a public altar, built by Seitz and with a picture of her father Guadalupe Gonzalez Palomino as its centerpiece, as well as singing and dancing. — Leticia Seitz shows visiting community members various elements of a Dia de los Muertos altar she built, during a Dia de los Muertos celebration on Thursday at the International Institute of Metropolitan St. Louis in Tower Grove East.

Burning incense sat at the foot of three altars Thursday in the International Institute鈥檚 Hall of Nations, each covered with photos of people.

The altars were the centerpiece of this celebration. Day of the Dead is a holiday popular in Mexico when people honor loved ones who have died. It is typically celebrated between Oct. 28 and Nov. 2.

The mood was respectful but not solemn. Amid the photos were ofrendas, or offerings to the spirits. Electric candles sat near yellow marigolds, toy skulls and favorite foods of the departed, including a plate of tamales and two bottles of Coca-Cola.

On the floor nearby, figurines of Mexican wrestlers stood on a toy wrestling ring. Some of the women in attendance wore colorful dresses, with arm and leg coverings that gave the appearance of a skeleton鈥檚 limbs.

鈥淪ome people are scared because we use a lot of skeletons,鈥� said , who organized the event and hopes it will become an annual tradition at the International Institute. 鈥淏ut the Mexicans, we have an intimate relationship with the dead. Obviously it鈥檚 sad because we remember people who have parted already. But someday we鈥檙e going to be on the altar, too. So we show respect, but we have fun with it.鈥�

LEFT: Painted skulls adorn Leticia Seitz鈥� dress, worn during a Dia de los Muertos celebration on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023, at the International Institute of Metropolitan St. Louis in the Tower Grove East neighborhood of St. Louis. RIGHT: At top right picture of Guadalupe Gonzalez Palomino, the father of Leticia Seitz, is the center point of a public altar. — LEFT: Painted skulls adorn Leticia Seitz鈥檚 dress, worn during a Dia de los Muertos celebration on Thursday at the International Institute in Tower Grove East. RIGHT: At top right, a picture of Guadalupe Gonzalez Palomino, the father of Leticia Seitz, is the center point of a public altar.

The event was the International Institute鈥檚 first Day of the Dead observance. It鈥檚 one of the first efforts in an initiative the institute launched last month to better connect with Latino communities.

The organization鈥檚 leaders want to attract to St. Louis some of the 330,000 immigrants from El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua whose legal status the Biden administration .

鈥淲e felt that it made sense for us, trying to engage the Latino audience, and to embrace the Latino culture in every sense of the word,鈥� said International Institute President and CEO Arrey Obenson. 鈥淎nd with this being something that is really characteristic of Mexican and Latino culture, we thought that we should host it here as a demonstration of our desire to really embrace multiculturalism.鈥�

The event included a traditional dance and a performance by musician Maria Saenz, who played acoustic guitar and sang in Spanish and English. Attendees snacked on candy and sipped water and soda.

The chance to celebrate the holiday with other Mexican Americans and an authentic altar was a big attraction for Saenz.

鈥淚 live in O鈥橣allon, but I had to beat the traffic and come out here and be a part of it,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 camaraderie, to share in each other鈥檚 pain of those we鈥檝e lost and to share in the joy of celebrating that they existed.鈥�

See photos below from the International Institute's program and a related event held by the Missouri History Museum by photojournalist Tristen Rouse:

At bottom left, Carisa Hale, 19, of Ferguson, leads a Dia de Los Muertos parade on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Forest Park in St. Louis. Hale was asked to attend and help lead the parade, in part because she knows several of the dancers directly behind her. — At bottom left, Carisa Hale, 19, of Ferguson, leads a Dia de Los Muertos parade on Saturday in Forest Park. Hale was asked to attend and help lead the parade, in part because she knows several of the dancers directly behind her.

Carmen Amezcua, left, and Mirthala Chantaca help lead a Dia de los Muertos parade on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, walking through Forest Park in St. Louis. Both are members of Ballet Ollin, a dance group that performed ahead of the parade. — Carmen Amezcua, left, and Mirthala Chantaca help lead a Dia de los Muertos parade on Saturday in Forest Park.

Members of the St. Louis region鈥檚 Latino community walk in a Dia de los Muertos parade on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Forest Park in St. Louis. The event was organized through the Missouri History Museum, as a part of its weekend of events honoring the holiday. — Members of the St. Louis region鈥檚 Latino community walk in a Dia de los Muertos parade on Saturday in Forest Park. The event was organized through the Missouri History Museum, as a part of its weekend of events honoring the holiday.

Felix Luna, his face painted to resemble a skull for Dia de los Muertos, holds a banner recongizing Santo Domingo on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, outside the Missouri History Museum in St. Louis. Santo Domingo, or Saint Dominic, was the the founder of the Dominican Order and is the patron saint of astronomers and natural scientists. — Felix Luna, his face painted to resemble a skull for Dia de los Muertos, holds a banner recognizing Santo Domingo on Saturday outside the Missouri History Museum. Santo Domingo, or Saint Dominic, was the the founder of the Dominican Order and is the patron saint of astronomers and natural scientists.

Isabella Bender, 17, of O鈥橣allon, walks in a Dia de los Muertos parade on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Forest Park in St. Louis. 鈥淢y grandma runs all this,鈥� Bender said, referring to Hispanic Festival, Inc., which helped organize the event. 鈥淚鈥檝e been doing this as long as I can remember, ever since they started doing this.鈥� — Isabella Bender, 17, of O鈥橣allon, Mo., walks in a Dia de los Muertos parade on Saturday in Forest Park. 鈥淢y grandma runs all this,鈥� Bender said, referring to Hispanic Festival, Inc., which helped organize the event. 鈥淚鈥檝e been doing this as long as I can remember, ever since they started doing this.鈥�

Maria Yaksic, left, and Lizett Mata walk in a Dia de los Muertos parade on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Forest Park in St. Louis. The event was one of several organized through the Missouri History Museum to honor the holiday, along with dance performances and public altars to honor deceased loved ones. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a good way to portray our culture,鈥� Yaksic said. — Maria Yaksic, left, and Lizett Mata walk in a Dia de los Muertos parade on Saturday in Forest Park. The event was one of several organized through the Missouri History Museum to honor the holiday, along with dance performances and public altars to honor deceased loved ones. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a good way to portray our culture,鈥� Yaksic said.

Kelly Mondragon, 7, dances during a Dia de los Muertos parade on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Forest Park in St. Louis. The event was organized through the Missouri History Museum, as a part of its weekend of events honoring the holiday. — Kelly Mondragon, 7, dances during a Dia de los Muertos parade on Saturday in Forest Park.

Guille Quiroz, lower left, helps lead a Dia de los Muertos parade on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, walking through Forest Park in St. Louis. Quiroz has been dancing with Ballet Ollin, a dance group that performed ahead of the parade, for five years. — Guille Quiroz, lower left, helps lead a Dia de los Muertos parade on Saturday in Forest Park. Quiroz has been dancing with Ballet Ollin, a dance group that performed ahead of the parade, for five years.

A crowd gathers around dance group Ballet Ollin, performing before they lead a Dia de los Muertos parade on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, walking through Forest Park in St. Louis. The parade was preceded by a full day of events and live entertainment, held on the lawn of the museum in honor of the holiday. — A crowd gathers around dance group Ballet Ollin, performing before they lead a Dia de los Muertos parade on Saturday in Forest Park. The parade was preceded by a full day of events and live entertainment, held on the lawn of the museum in honor of the holiday.

Guille Quiroz dances ahead of a Dia de los Muertos parade on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, walking through Forest Park in St. Louis. Quiroz has been dancing with Ballet Ollin, the group that performed, for five years. — Guille Quiroz dances ahead of a Dia de los Muertos parade on Saturday in Forest Park.

From left, Guille Quiroz, Mirthala Chantaca and Reina Garcia Baxan, prop up a banner honoring Santo Domingo on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, outside the Missouri History Museum in St. Louis. Santo Domingo, or Saint Dominic, was the the founder of the Dominican Order and is the patron saint of astronomers and natural scientists. — From left, Guille Quiroz, Mirthala Chantaca and Reina Garcia Baxan, prop up a banner honoring Santo Domingo on Saturday outside the Missouri History Museum in St. Louis. Santo Domingo, or Saint Dominic, was the the founder of the Dominican Order and is the patron saint of astronomers and natural scientists.

Guille Quiroz takes a break from leading the parade to get help changing her shoes on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, walking through Forest Park in St. Louis. Quiroz has been dancing with Ballet Ollin, the group that performed, for five years. — Guille Quiroz takes a break from leading the parade to get help changing her shoes on Saturday in Forest Park.

Maria Saenz sings during a Dia de los Muertos celebration on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023, at the International Institute of Metropolitan St. Louis in the Tower Grove East neighborhood of St. Louis. The celebration included a public altar, as well as singing and dancing. — Maria Saenz sings during a Dia de los Muertos celebration on Thursday at the International Institute.

Decorative, miniature coffins adorned with skulls are leaned against a speakers podium during a Dia de los Muertos celebration on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023, at the International Institute of Metropolitan St. Louis in the Tower Grove East neighborhood of St. Louis. The celebration included a public altar, as well as singing and dancing. — Decorative miniature coffins adorned with skulls are leaned against a speaker's podium during a Dia de los Muertos celebration on Thursday at the International Institute.

A picture of Guadalupe Gonzalez Palomino, the father of Leticia Seitz, is the center point of a public altar, built by Seitz for a Dia de los Muertos celebration on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023, at the International Institute of Metropolitan St. Louis in the Tower Grove East neighborhood of St. Louis. The celebration included the public altar, as well as singing and dancing. — A picture of Guadalupe Gonzalez Palomino, the father of Leticia Seitz, is the center point of a public altar, built by Seitz for a Dia de los Muertos celebration on Thursday at the International Institute.

Esperanza Rodrigues dances during a Dia de los Muertos celebration on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023, at the International Institute of Metropolitan St. Louis in the Tower Grove East neighborhood of St. Louis. The celebration included a public altar, as well as singing and dancing. — Esperanza Rodrigues dances during a Dia de los Muertos celebration on Thursday at the International Institute.

Esperanza Rodriguez light incense in front of a Dia de los Muertos altar on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023, at the International Institute of Metropolitan St. Louis in the Tower Grove East neighborhood of St. Louis. The celebration included the public altar, as well as singing and dancing. — Esperanza Rodriguez lights incense in front of a Dia de los Muertos altar on Thursday at the International Institute.

A painted skull adorns a Dia de los Muertos altar on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023, at the International Institute of Metropolitan St. Louis in the Tower Grove East neighborhood of St. Louis. The celebration included a public altar, built by Leticia Seitz and with a picture of her father Guadalupe Gonzalez Palomino as its centerpiece, as well as singing and dancing. — A painted skull adorns a Dia de los Muertos altar on Thursday at the International Institute in Tower Grove East.

Reina Garcia Baxan dances during a Dia de los Muertos celebration on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023, at the International Institute of Metropolitan St. Louis in the Tower Grove East neighborhood of St. Louis. The celebration included a public altar, as well as singing and dancing. — Reina Garcia Baxan dances during a Dia de los Muertos celebration on Thursday at the International Institute.

Felix Luna, left, and Reina Garcia Baxan dance in front of a public altar during a Dia de los Muertos celebration on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023, at the International Institute of Metropolitan St. Louis in the Tower Grove East neighborhood of St. Louis. The celebration included a public altar, as well as singing and dancing. — Felix Luna, left, and Reina Garcia Baxan dance in front of a public altar during a Dia de los Muertos celebration on Thursday at the International Institute.

Reina Garcia Baxan kneels during a dance, part of a Dia de los Muertos celebration on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023, at the International Institute of Metropolitan St. Louis in the Tower Grove East neighborhood of St. Louis. The celebration included a public altar, as well as singing and dancing. — Reina Garcia Baxan kneels during a dance, part of a Dia de los Muertos celebration on Thursday at the International Institute.

Leticia Seitz, right, speaks to Rick and Marta Gonzales during a Dia de los Muertos celebration on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023, at the International Institute of Metropolitan St. Louis in the Tower Grove East neighborhood of St. Louis. The celebration included a public altar, built by Seitz and with a picture of her father Guadalupe Gonzalez Palomino as its centerpiece, as well as singing and dancing. — Leticia Seitz, right, speaks to Rick and Marta Gonzales during a Dia de los Muertos celebration on Thursday at the International Institute.