Exhibition: Altar de Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead)

Exhibition: Altar de Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead)
28.10-5.11.2023
Oodi | Kuutio Room - 2nd floor | Töölönlahdenkatu 4, 00100 Helsinki.
All family – Free entry.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri -> 8am-7pm | Sat-Sun -> 10am-7pm.

Opening of the Exhibition on 28.10. at 11am!

The ’Día de Muertos’ (Day of the Dead) and its traditional Altars come to Helsinki with this vibrant and colorful exhibition! Get to know this ancient custom celebrated in Mexico and Central America, recognized by UNESCO as ”Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity” since 2003.

This is such a well-known celebration worldwide that in 2023, the Ministry of Education and Culture of Finland included it in Finland's national inventory as Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Discover the traditional Altars created during this festivity and get familiar with all the elements that contain. This multimedia exhibition has been designed by Mexican designer Mariana Núñez Sánchez, and Mexican visual artist by Julio Orduña Sánchez.

Whats is Día de Muertos?

Every 1st of November, the Day of the Dead, Día de Muertos, is celebrated in Mexico and Central America. It is believed that between November 1st and 2nd, the departed return to this world to visit their loved ones. Families assist the souls of their departed on their journey by scattering flower petals and candles to illuminate the path.

What is an Altar?

During these days, families create the famous Altars (Altares) with arranged offerings to honor and remember their loved ones. Altars include a variety of offerings like candles, food, incense, drinks, flowers, photographs, music, and personal mementos of the departed.

The tradition of Altars is believed to have its origins in the Mesoamerican indigenous communities (Mexico and Central America), even though it is a practice associated to the Christian tradition of All Saints’ Day.

Therefore, Altars and their components are an example of the syncretism and religious and cultural mixture among the pre-Columbian worldview and Christianity.

Make sure not to miss the rest of the program at Oodi!

4.11 | Día de Muertos – Family Day | Free entrance | Children's area, 3rd floor, Kuutio room, 2nd room. Dance performances, workshops, Spanish storytelling, and lots of fun for all families!
4.11 (5-6pm): Guitar concert by Alan Guerra | Free entrance | Kuutio room, 2nd room.

Don't miss the opportunity to learn more about one of the world's oldest and most beautiful ancestral traditions.

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This is a Kulttuurikeskus Ninho ry production in cooperation with the Embassy of Mexico and Oodi. Supported by City of Helsinki.

Coordination: Claudia Herrera Rosales.
Image design: Mariana Núñez Sánchez.
Exhibition’s Visual Art: Julio Orduña Sánchez.