TOLEDO—The Sofía Quintero Art & Cultural Center invites the community to build memorial altars in celebration of its 15th annual Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), to be held Nov. 5.

The Día de los Muertos celebration dates back more than 3,000 years to when the Aztecs and other indigenous people of Mexico believed that death was not to be feared but was another journey in the cycle of life. When the conquistadors came and Catholicism was introduced, the Catholic Church moved the Día de los Muertos to coincide with All Saints Day and All Soul’s Day, Nov. 1 and 2.

The elements in altars are highly personal including favorite items belonging to the person(s) being memorialized such as favorite foods, music, hobbies, religious figures, rosaries and more. Altars also include photos of the deceased, representations of water or fire, marigold flowers, papel picado or other cultural symbols.

The Día de los Muertos Altars are to be blessed at 9 a.m. Nov. 5, followed by a procession to Toledo SS. Peter & Paul.  The altars exhibit is to be open to the public for two weeks.

Those interested in building an altar can contact Cathy at sibkuz@accesstoledo.com or 419-255-0629 to obtain an application or for more information. The deadline for applications is Sept. 29.