Por JILL DIAMANTE | Noticias de la zona alta

Además de Halloween y el fútbol de otoño, otro evento de octubre que gana popularidad es el Día de los Muertos.

A lo largo de los años, la festividad que se celebra tradicionalmente en México y San Diego ha crecido para atraer a personas de todos los ámbitos de la vida. Este año, la celebración del Día de los Muertos de la Fiesta de Reyes se llevará a cabo una vez más en el Parque Histórico Estatal Old Town San Diego en la plaza Fiesta de Reyes del 1 al 3 de noviembre.

“Día de los Muertos is a community-wide celebration of the history, Hispanic culture and rich heritage of the region. It is at this time of year that the spirits of loved ones who have died are thought to return to Earth to celebrate with friends and family,” said Fiesta de Reyes Día de los Muertos Celebration Spokesperson Mike Simms.

He said the tradition of celebrating the dead goes back to pre-Columbian cultures in what is now Mexico. As European influences came into play, the traditions became mixed with Christian traditions and it evolved into the celebration we have today.

Qué ver y hacer

While at the event, the state park will offer a celebration of activities and attractions for the entire family that will be a tribute to those who have passed away. From a professional artist painting a large Day of the Dead skull in the middle of the park to a public altar where visitors can place remembrances, there’s something for everyone. Additionally, there will be a vibrant Día de los Muertos parade that will proceed around the state park plaza on Saturday at 5 p.m. featuring many local groups and performers.

Simms added the Fiesta de Reyes courtyard at the north end of the state park will be full of fanciful, humorous, and visually stimulating décor offered as tributes to many of San Diego’s early citizens. Many life-sized Catrina skeleton dolls in fancy dress hold court at Fiesta de Reyes throughout the fall season.

“El Día de los Muertos, o Día de los Muertos, se celebra en Old Town desde hace más de 10 años y se ha convertido en un evento al que las personas que antes venían con sus padres ahora traen a sus hijos.

“The event in the state park is more than a street fair as so many other Día de los Muertos celebrations in the area have become. We embrace and celebrate the meaning of the holiday and people – especially families – are attracted to that. People of all ages and ethnicities attend. The state park event sees many families attending together with multiple generations of progeny.

“The sentiment of setting aside time to remember our ancestors and loved ones who are no longer with us with reverence and joy is very appealing. It has truly started to become an international celebration. Many cultures all over the world embrace the concept of celebrating the dead at certain times of the year, so Día de los Muertos fits into those traditions as well,” he said.

Attendees echoed the sentiment like Robert Barros, Day of the Dead artist, who said: “We love the Day of the Dead celebration in Old Town as a place to showcase our Day of the Dead art. It’s a refreshing break from the wild street-fair environment of most events around the holiday. The focus on tradition, remembering the dead and art has us choose this event every year.”

Eric Minella, gerente de Interpretación Histórica en Fiesta de Reyes en Old Town San Diego State Historic Park dijo: “He estado creando altares y exhibiciones públicas enormes para el Día de los Muertos en Fiesta de Reyes y Old Town por más de 10 años. Ha sido un placer ver crecer la popularidad de la celebración cada año porque el sentimiento que hay detrás es muy conmovedor, y creo que es importante que los niños y las familias lo acepten”.

Para obtener información y un programa completo de eventos, visite fiestadereyes.com/ddlm o dayofthedeadsd.com.

— Jill Diamond es una escritora independiente del sur de California a la que le gustan las piezas históricas interesantes. llegar a ella en JillDiamondHistory@gmail.com.