In partnership with the Mexican Cultural Center and the Mexican Consulate in Philadelphia, Penn Museum will host its ninth annual Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration and bring the spirit of CultureFest! online, with 10 virtual events expanding access to the vibrant traditions of Mexican culture for people around the world.
Throughout October, CultureFest! Día de los Muertos will offer free downloadable arts and crafts projects for kids, Digital Daily Digs (three-minute talks about one artifact on display), and behind-the-scenes views into the traditions of Pan de Muerto bread and Catrina face-painting, hosted by the Mexican Cultural Center.
In addition, CultureFest! includes:
- Oct. 15 - Create an Ofrenda Workshop (5 p.m.) - Internationally recognized artist Cesar Viveros explains how to build an altar with photos and mementos to remember a loved one. Free
- Oct. 20 - Museum Insider (10 a.m.) - Join museum professionals as they share perspectives about their careers. As a part of CultureFest!, attendees can chat online with Obed Arango Hisijara, the director of CCATE, which ignites social transformation by empowering the Latinx community. He is an artist, photographer, journalist, university professor, and media producer. This is supported in part by the Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration. Free
- Oct. 21 - World Wonders After School (4 p.m.) - Aspiring globetrotters ages 5–12 can explore Mexico’s history from ancestral Mesoamerican civilizations to its society today. Pay-What-You-Wish
- Oct. 22 - Living Room Lecture (5:30 p.m.) - An informal, interactive happy hour with Mexican Consul Carlos Obrador. Free
- Oct. 27 - At-Home Anthro LIVE! (1 p.m.) - Elementary- and middle- school students can dig deeper into the meaning of The Day of the Dead’s traditional altars, while discovering the symbolism behind each element, along with a hands-on project. Free
The entire CultureFest! Día de los Muertos line-up can be found here.
In addition, the Penn Museum is open for guests to explore the Mexico and Central America Gallery in person. Timed tickets are available online, social distancing and face coverings are required, and floor markings will guide visitors on a one-way journey through the Museum, which offers multiple hand sanitizing
stations.
