Ofrenda exhibit for 'Dia de Los Muertos' continues at Gail Borden Public Library
The Ofrenda exhibit for "Dia de los Muertos Open Hearts - Our Families" is continuing until Nov. 9 on the second floor at the Gail Borden Public Library in Elgin.
Jessica Carpia, Gail Borden Library's Coordinator of Hispanic Services, thought the community would greatly appreciate the cultural celebration of life this year. She was right.
The Gail Borden Public Library's September-October newsletter announced that the library would be hosting a traditional Ofrenda in 2022 and invited community members to send in a picture of their loved ones.
People responded and now an abundant number of community members' photos now grace the Ofrenda.
"The response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive," said Madeleine Villalobos, Gail Borden Library's Director of Hispanic Services. "This Ofrenda is about passing on the tradition. It is much like handing down a family heirloom."
Carpia added, "This was an entire Hispanic Services team effort."
She also pointed out that in 2003 that UNESCO proclaimed the "Indigenous Festivity dedicated to the Dead," or Día de Muertos celebration, as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The Ofrenda will be hosted on the second floor of the Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave. in downtown Elgin, until Nov. 9.