Day of the Dead

For immediate release:

CAL STATE L.A. CELEBRATES THE
MEXICAN DAY OF THE DEAD

Los Angeles, CA -- California State University, Los Angeles will celebrate Dia de los Muertos, the traditional Mexican day of the dead, from Mon., Oct. 27-Fri., Oct. 31, at Café LA, first floor of the University-Student Union. Altars will be on display featuring ofrendas (offerings) such as special foods, flowers, candles, photos, and other remembrances of the dead. A lecture and display of calaveras paintings by local artist and teacher Jean Paul Raya is also scheduled for Wed., Oct. 29, 6 p.m., at the Alhambra Room, University-Student Union. Call (323) 343-5001.

In addition to the campus celebration, Cal State L.A. has a faculty expert available to speak to the media about the cultural festivity. (See below) Dia de los Muertos, as practiced in the United States, has been known to reflect the merger of ancient pre-Hispanic beliefs about life and death with Spanish Catholic influences, which introduced All Saints Day and All Souls Day after the Spanish Conquest.

For more information, call the Cal State L.A. Public Affairs Office at (323) 343-3050.

Richard Rodriguez
Assistant Professor of Chicano Studies; Ph.D., UC Santa Cruz
Dr. Rodriguez’ expertise is in popular culture. He has written on Academy Award nominee Lourdes Portillo’s acclaimed documentary film La Ofrenda (The Altar), and how cultural practices like Dia de los muertos/Day of the Dead “translate” from Mexican to U.S. Latino culture.

California State University, Los Angeles, is a comprehensive university at the heart of a major metropolitan city. The 175-acre hilltop campus is located five miles east of Los Angeles’ civic and cultural center. Since 1947, Cal State L.A. has been a leader in providing quality higher education. Today, the campus comprises a faculty of internationally recognized scholars and artists, and more than 21,000 students with a wide variety of interests, ages and backgrounds that reflect the city’s dynamic mix of populations. The CSU: A leader in high-quality, accessible, student-focused higher education.