UWP Spanish Students Celebrate the Day of the Dead

Spanish classes SPAN 104, 203 and 303, along with instructors Ruth Kauffmann and Elizabeth Sloan, celebrated the Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) with remembrances of loved ones. Typical "altars" celebrate all the senses with bright flowers, fruits, bread, candles and colorful "papel picado" (paper cut-outs). According to Kauffman, the Dia de los Muertos is often misunderstood because it is thought to have something to do with the occult. Rather, it is celebrated "to honor the dead and the place they had in our lives." Students brought and shared stories, photos and objects that reminded them of their loved ones. The Day of the Dead is on November 2. The roots of this holiday date back to the Aztec civilization in Mexico, but it is now celebrated all over Latin America, and here in the U.S.