Rosa de Anda, executive director of the Marigold Project, originally from Mexico, reimagined aspects of the Day of the Dead to better resonate with her community. "What was I doing the ceremony for, if it wasn't to reflect the community and its challenges?" For Rosa, the celebration is a way to connect individuals on both personal and collective journeys.
Artist Danielle Revives, based in South San Francisco, transforms her studio into a haven for Day of the Dead creations. "It may look like a storage unit, but it's not," she laughs.
From altars to flower crowns honoring figures like Frida Kahlo and her grandmothers, every piece Danielle makes carries cultural significance. Her "Hungry Calaverita," a papier-maché skull, is "hungry for messages to your beloved."
Guests are invited to place notes inside the skull, which are later offered in a ceremonial burn, connecting the living with those who have passed.
Rosa reminds us that the Day of the Dead's spirit isn't confined to November 2. "Take a moment each day to appreciate the joy of being alive," she says.
The holiday's message is universal: life and death are intertwined, and remembering those who came before us enriches our lives in profound ways.
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