MEXICAN EMBASSY CELEBRATES DAY OF THE DEAD

October 31, 2008

Today is being observed as the Day of the Dead in Mexico. In celebration of the day the Mexican Embassy today facilitated a display at the House of Culture in Belize City in honor of Andy Palacio. Jorge Lopez, Director of the Institute of Mexico tells us more.

Jorge Lopez, Director - Institute of Mexico

“The Altar of the Dead in Mexico is part of the celebration of the day of the dead. The day of the dead includes many activities; there is a mass in the church, there is dancing, special foods, there is music and a visit to the cemetery to put offering to the dead. As a part of the activities is Mexico we put an altar in the house. The altar is normally an honor to one person who died recently. In this case the embassy of Mexico prepared an altar of the dead in honor of Andy Palacio. Andy was a very good friend of Mexico. Mexicans have fond memories of Andy at his concerts. When “Watina” was presented in Belize in November, there was a Mexican group with Andy. This is a way to remember Andy and share with him again.”

The Day of the Dead is a mixture of Christian devotion and Pre-Historic traditions and beliefs and the altar is used to greet the spirits with offerings of food and things that the person enjoyed in life.

Jorge Lopez, Director - Institute of Mexico

“We but a guitar, we put rum, we put bread and other things that Andy liked. We want to share with him this food we have put on the altar and his music represented by his guitar. In Mexico we put a special   yellow flower called the marigold flower. The flower is a very important part of the altar in Mexico.”

Other altars on display are in honor of Paz Cervantes and Beverly Smith Lopez.

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