History Museum Hosts Dia de los Muertos Activities

The El Paso Museum of Art held a short talk on the history of Dia De los Muertos Saturday morning, teaching borderland residents the importance of the November 2 holiday. Workshops later gave a taste of mexican tradition, arts and crafts being used to educate people on local and mexican culture.

“El Paso is made up of so many different cultures and ethnic groups that, I think, it’s really important for us to learn about other people’s cultures and traditions, and it helps us understand one another,” said Jennifer Mendez, a parent who took her children to the event.

Some parents that brought their children say it’s important to educate them on their heritage, especially in a multicultural place such as El Paso, where Dia de los Muertos could easily be overshadowed by Halloween.

“When you expose them to these kinds of events or if you celebrate in in your house then it gets them to understand their culture and I think they learn to appreciate it more,” said Jaime Knoedler of the El Paso Museum of History.

For some children, parents said, it was their first time being exposed to the Mexican holiday.

Day of the Dead activities will be held in El Paso Sunday November 1, with a festival at Concordia Cemetery from 2-8 p.m. and another at the San Elizario Historic District from 1-8 p.m.