DAY OF THE DEAD (DIA DE LOS MUERTOS)

Each year the Cultural Center sponsors a competition among the local area schools to design and decorate the most original and beautiful altars as part of the Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration. Check out all the pictures from the 2012 event.

All material used to construct the altars much be natural – no plastic or artificial items. The students used native plant material, dyed sand and sawdust, rocks, and food items to decorate the altars.

The winners of the 2012 competition were: 1st Place- Aticama High School; 2nd Place – La Palma High School. The judge for the contest was our special guest – the Director of Libraries for the State of Hidalgo, Mexico.

A local family is also given the chance to decorate an altar in the interior entrance of the Cultural Center. The family of the late Alejandro “Chato” Santana, a former President of the Ejido of Aticama, designed a great altar that perfectly captured his life.