Día de los Muertos remembers loved ones

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Several Day of the Dead events are scheduled at the Lorenzo Cultural Center on the Center Campus of Macomb Community College, located at 44575 Garfield Road.

The Day of the Dead, known in Spanish as Día de los Muertos, is observed Nov. 1-2 and coincides with the Catholic observances of All Saints Day Nov. 1 and All Souls Day Nov. 2. Generally celebrated in Mexico, with variations observed in other Latin American countries and different parts of the world, Day of the Dead celebrates the lives of the departed through the displays of decorative altars.

The altars — called ofrendas in Spanish — include flowers, colorful tissue paper, sugar skulls, candles and personal items of the loved one. An altar-building workshop with professor Maria Ramos will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 26. Participants are asked to bring framed copies of loved ones and other personal items.

On Nov. 1, Marlon Lara Parrons will give a presentation about the Day of the Dead from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

“Celebrating Day of the Dead” with Gil Guevara, the creative/artistic director for Artistas Latinx en Accíon Siempre, will be held from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 2. The presentation will touch on the elements and details one can expect to see and experience during Day of the Dead celebrations.

Residents are invited to the Detroit Institute of Arts in Detroit Nov. 3 to view the museum’s Day of the Dead exhibit. “Ofrendas: Celebrating el Día de Muertos” features 14 ofrendas by local artists and community members. Check-in begins at 9:30 a.m. at the Lorenzo Cultural Center with the bus leaving at 10 a.m. Wear comfortable shoes, as there will be a lot of walking.

“Ofrendas is a popular exhibition at the DIA and just one of the ways we collaborate with local artists and community members to showcase their art at the museum,” Julie McFarland, executive director, public affairs and community engagement for the DIA said in a prepared statement. “This exhibition builds a sense of community as visitors identify with the reasons and ways people honor the deceased while collectively taking part in the act of remembering.”

Since general admission to the DIA is free for residents of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties, remember to bring your identification to confirm free entry. Nonresidents will have to purchase a ticket. The event ends at 2 p.m.

“Death, Dying and the Afterlife in Mexican Literature” with Ramos will be held from noon to 1 p.m. Nov. 4. Ramos will discuss how the texts and novels of Mexican authors — Octavio Paz, Carlos Fuentes and Juan Rulfo — incorporate, play and reflect on the significance of death.

There is no cost to attend the events, but registration is required. To register, go to lorenzoculturalcenter.com or call (586) 445-7348.