Leah Hamilton | staff writer
 
Decorated with marigolds, prayer candles and cherished gifts, the Gumberg Library opened its annual Day of the Dead showcase on Wednesday.

Day of the Dead is celebrated in many Latin American countries as a reunion with deceased relatives and loved ones. The holiday is commonly associated with colorful altars and songs that honor those who have passed away.

Organizer Laura Gild, a professor of Spanish language at Duquesne, wanted to emphasize the love that comes with this reunion.

“Death doesn’t have to be somber, but can bring an air of peace and joy,” she said.

The showcase was a collaboration between the Center for Hispanic Studies, Spiritan Campus Ministries and the Gumberg Library.

Following a blessing from Father Matt Broeren, the ceremony featured presentations about the history and customs of the holiday by Spanish language students.

The Day of the Dead event aimed to create a space for those who wanted to celebrate and promote an inclusive community at Duquesne.

“It’s necessary to be open to other ways while looking at similarities and differences that make us who we are,” Gild said.

Each element and detail of the display held cultural and personal impact.

Mexican marigolds are seen scattered around altars as a pivotal way to celebrate the dead returning to their families. According to The Grace Museum, flowers are believed to assist in guiding the deceased to their family and are often depicted as the sun, whose light guides souls.

Candles also carry religious significance and reflect the holiday’s connection to Mexican history.

The holiday’s emphasis on light originates from Indigenous communities, where paths were created to allow an easier passage for relatives. The common depictions of Jesus on the candles reflect the belief of eternal life and the Catholic faith seen in modern day.

“Each item on the ofrenda helps to recognize all the various places that the remembered come from,” Gild said.

Beyond its cultural significance, the showcase also gave students an opportunity to learn about traditions they may not have encountered before.

Chloe Zervos, an economics major at Duquesne, said she learned an immense amount about the holiday through her experience at the showcase.

Prior to this event, her knowledge of Day of the Dead was limited to what she learned in seventh grade.

“It was amazing how intimate the session was and all the specifics about Day of the Dead,” she said.

Zervos added that the varying details that made up the Day of the Dead celebration turned the showcase into a learning event for her, which inspired a newfound interest in the culture.

“I was shown new words and music that I haven’t experienced anywhere else in my life,” she said.

For Duquesne student Tate Martin, the event changed how he connected with his learning.

After attending the event for an extra participation credit in his Spanish class, Martin found that the cultural showcase offered an engaging atmosphere.

“I left feeling fulfilled, having been able to honor people I love who are no longer with us,” he said.

Students shared stories about families that spanned generations and reflected on the lives of loved ones who have died.

While Day of the Dead is a holiday celebrated primarily throughout Latin America, the message of remembrance is global. Fourteen countries around the world participate in a Day of the Dead celebration, according to World Population Review.

“It’s important to acknowledge that a dead person is very much alive in our memories of them,” Martin said.

Leah Hamilton can be reached at hamiltonl4@duq.edu