The Broomfield library is celebrating Día de los Muertos with a Community Ofrenda, an altar where people can bring photos of their loved ones who have died.
The ofrenda, which is scheduled to be on display until Oct. 22, aims to “increase understanding and awareness of this culturally rich tradition, as well as increase representation for the Latinx community,” said Veronika Garcia, an outreach librarian with the city and county.
“Broomfield is a diverse community, with a diverse population of Spanish speakers,” Garcia said. “This program gives visibility to community members that reside in Broomfield and highlights unique perspectives, while also providing opportunities for meaningful engagement.”
Día de los Muertos, a Latin American cultural custom, is an important tradition for many who live in the United States. The celebration allows community members to remember, cherish and honor those who passed away.
It’s believed that those who died may return to their loved ones’ homes and remember what it was like to be alive, Garcia said. For a brief period, families are reunited.
The custom may also “provide an approachable view on death for community members new to this tradition,” Garcia said.
The celebration has been traced back 3,000 years to ancient societies in Mesoamerica, according to History.com. The Aztecs believed it was the duty of the living to help the dead reach their final resting place, which often took several years.
Community members are invited to the Broomfield Public Library for a bilingual Dia de los Muertos storytime at 9:30 a.m. and an all ages craft celebration at 11 a.m. on Oct. 22.
