Our weekly Events Update links you to the city's most exciting cultural events and activities

HomeThings to Do & SeeDC Events Calendar

Celebration - Day of the Dead Altar / Altar de Muertos opening

Sponsoring Organization

Embassy of Mexico: Mexican Cultural Institute
2829 16th Street, NW
Washington, DC, 20009

Phone: (202) 728-1628

Location

Mexican Cultural Institute
2829 16th Street, NW
Washington, DC, 20009

Phone: (202) 728-1628
Fax: (202) 462-7241
See map: Google Maps
October 30, 2011 - 12:00pm - 4:00pm

Join us for the opening of the traditional Day of the Dead Altar, a quintessentially Mexican tradition and one of our most colorful displays of the year.  The Day of the Dead is the result of the fusion of indigenous and Spanish cultures and is one of the most important traditional holidays, underscoring the deeply held belief in Mexico that death is strongly tied to life as the fundamental duality of human existence. For many, the offering is the most significant attribute of the commemoration, and is based on the belief that the dead return to enjoy the essence and aroma of gifts of food and drink provided to them by their family members. In this way, the celebration revolves around welcoming and bidding farewell to souls.  

In 2003, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recognized the Day of the Dead as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, due to the fact that the celebration is one of the most relevant representations of living heritage in Mexico and the world, as well as one of the oldest and most widely practiced cultural expressions.  Come enjoy the altar and celebrate one of Mexico’s most unique holidays!
 
The altar will be on display at the Mexican Cultural Institute during regular business hours through November 23.
Fee: 
Free

Contact Information

Embassy of Mexico: Mexican Cultural Institute
2829 16th Street, NW
Washington, DC, 20009

Phone: (202) 728-1628
Login to Add to My Itinerary Add to My Calendar

Spread the Word

Follow us on TwitterJoin us on FacebookWatch us on YouTube

Testimonials

This tour delivers the goods.  Being raised just outside of washington d.c. (Bethesda), I've gone on innumerable DC sightseeing tours in my lifetime.   Every time a family friend or relative visited from out of town meant another trip down to the Mall, another sightseeing tour.  Monument tours, ghost tours, "Duck" tours, you name it I've done it.  But out of all the DC tours I've been on this was one of the best.  I went last weekend with my nieces and nephews on the Capitol Hill tour, which lasted a little over two hours.  The tour guide was extremely knowledgeable of the historic sites and presented the information in a fun and lively manner.  His enthusiam for the subject was infectious.  He had my nieces and nephews in rapt atttention from start to finish.  Highly recommend.

Frank H.