Valencia College’s Humanities Department at the Osceola Campus set up an altar for Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). This event aimed to share Mexico’s vibrant celebration of the dead while fostering a sense of community among students and faculty.

In contrast to North American culture, which often views death with sadness and grief, Mexico embraces it with love and celebration. To honor this tradition, the Osceola Campus’s Humanities Department created the community altar, or ofrenda, located in the atrium of Building 3.

This space invited all willing participants to engage with the cultural significance of Día de los Muertos. The altar featured a simple explanation of the holiday, accompanied by paper cutouts of skulls, candied skulls, marigolds, and candles. Photographs and cards for messages to loved ones who have passed were also included, allowing visitors to participate in the remembrance.

“What Día de los Muertos is doing is transforming this pain, this difficult time grieving, into a joyous celebration,” Juan-Alberto Saltos, a Spanish professor at Valencia said.

“It’s a celebration of life, and it’s encouraged.” Saltos continued, “It wasn’t until about 30 to 40 years ago, when they started openly celebrating in the U.S, so now they embrace. They embrace others celebrating with them.”

Because of this embrace, the Latino population of America can continue to cultivate accessible spaces and events to bring pride to their home countries. With a significant Latino population in Osceola County, Valencia College continues to find ways to foster connections among Hispanic Americans and providing spaces for cultural expression. According to Valencia College analytics and reporting, around 44 percent of the student body identifies as Latino.

The Humanities Department’s altar served as a vital representation of Mexican culture, inviting students and faculty from diverse backgrounds to engage with the traditions of Día de los Muertos.

Renowned Mexican actor Eugenio Derbez has spoken about the challenges of maintaining cultural ties after moving to the U.S. In an interview with HOLA! USA, he shared, “I always celebrated Día de los Muertos when I was living in Mexico. Since I moved here [USA], I never put up an altar, but I started celebrating Día de Muertos last year because I wanted to teach my daughter.”

His experience reflects a broader narrative among American-born children with Central and South American roots who strive to learn about and celebrate their cultures. The community altar at Valencia shared that identity and provided a space for additional cultural representation.

Vania Aguilar, a Valencia College student majoring in New Media Communications, emphasized the importance of such cultural events on campus.  She said, “Día de los Muertos represents Mexico and helps remind others of such a beautiful culture.”

This sentiment echoes the mission of the Humanities Department, which aims to create a welcoming environment for all students to celebrate their heritage and connect with one another.

Dia de los Muertos continues to prosper and grow throughout Mexico, and all over the world. Every year Mexico shares demonstrations of love and remembrance for those who have passed on, and with this community altar event, Valencia too, helps educate all students on the beauty of celebrating the dead.