Celebrating Mexico’s Day of the Dead in China

An important component of the holiday celebrations, the altar, usually decorated with flower petals, candles and offerings, is placed in each home in Mexico to facilitate the return of the souls.

Along with the altar, an art exhibit comprising 20 large-sized posters titled "Color Calavera" by artist Adrian Edgar is on view. The calavera, literally "skull" in English, is a popular symbol of the tradition alongside the calaca (skeleton). They appear in sweets, as parade masks and as dolls during the holiday.

Drawing inspiration from the Day of the Dead tradition, the artist instilled life and personalities in the skulls by rendering them in different color combinations.

Over the weekend, four Mexican short films – Down to the Bones, The Fisherman, Ramona, and Rain in the Eyes – all inspired by the tradition will be screened at the center, free to the public.