Event news from EVPL
Evansville Día De Los Muertos Celebration to be held at EVPL West
Evansville – On Saturday, November 7, EVPL West will be the site of dancing, crafts, ofrendas, an art parade, authentic Mexican food, and more, all as part of the Evansville Día de los Muertos celebration.
The event, presented by EVPL in partnership with staff and students from Montessori Academy and Signature School, offers an opportunity to learn about this ancient Mexican celebration that is now observed in communities around the world.
“Much of this event focuses on education about and appreciation for this cultural tradition of remembering loved ones who have gone before us,” said Lorenna Boyle, Spanish teacher, Signature School. “Día de los Muertos translates to Day of the Dead, but rather than a day of mourning, the holiday is a joyful celebration that is believed to temporarily reunite the living and the dead.”
The event will take place from 2-6 p.m. at EVPL West, both throughout the surrounding park and inside the library. The library’s downstairs meeting space will be a dedicated ofrenda room, featuring ofrendas made by people throughout the community.
The ofrenda is the centerpiece of any Día de los Muertos celebration and includes an array of thoughtfully selected objects arranged to honor and evoke memories of a departed relative, friend, or public figure. Tradition holds that the ofrenda attracts and guides the spirit home for a single day each year to linger in the love and companionship of the living.
Winners of EVPL’s piñata contest will be announced at 2:15 p.m. Individuals and families throughout the community are also invited to join the art parade beginning at 5:30, which will feature unique “floats,” costumes, and face paint.
More information about the event, including photos of prior celebrations, details about creating an ofrenda, or art parade guidelines, is available at www.evpl.org/dia. Those who wish to create and share an ofrenda should email dayofthedead@evpl.org to confirm details and reserve a table.
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Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library has served our community for more than a century. With eight locations throughout Vanderburgh County, immediate access to hundreds of thousands of digital resources, and a dedicated team of library professionals, EVPL strives to create opportunities for you to discover, explore, and connect with your library. For more information, visit evpl.org.
Signature is a tuition-free, open admission, and nationally ranked charter high school located in Evansville, Indiana. The mission of the Signature School is to meet the needs of self-motivated learners in a progressive environment driven by global concerns. We emphasize rigor and excellence in academics, the arts, integrated technologies, and community service. For more information, visit www.signature.edu.
Montessori Academy of Evansville, offering both schoolyear and year-round programs for children ages three through third grade, focuses on collaborative environments allowing for individualized learning and hands-on exploration.