The Department of Languages, Cultures and Religions (LCR) will once again host Día de Muertos festivities from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Nov. 5 in the Plaster Student Union Ballroom.
The biennial event is free and open to the public.
“Día de Muertos — or Day of the Dead — is a joyful and meaningful celebration that honors and remembers loved ones who have passed away,” said Dr. Vanessa Rodríguez de la Vega, professor of Spanish in LCR.
The festival symbolizes the return of souls to the world of the living, according to de la Vega. “The event encourages reflection on life, memory, and community, reminding everyone that death is not an end but a continuation through remembrance.”
Día de Muertos emphasizes remembrance rather than mourning by combining pre-Columbian Indigenous traditions with Catholic All Saints’ Day customs, de la Vega said. And while the festival is associated primarily with Mexico, it is also celebrated in several Latin American countries, including Guatemala, El Salvador, Ecuador and Peru.
Popular celebration part of LCR’s community outreach efforts
Missouri State first celebrated Día de Muertos in 2016 with a small altar display in Siceluff Hall’s library, de la Vega said. As attendance grew over the years, LCR moved the event to Plaster Student Union. It has since become one of the university’s largest cultural festivals, she added.
De la Vega coordinates the event, along with Senior Instructor of Spanish Luis Lombilla. Other faculty from LCR, along with numerous student volunteers, assist with putting the event together.
The festival is an important part of LCR’s educational outreach not only at Missouri State but toward area K-12 schools.
“The event aims to raise awareness and appreciation of Latin American cultural traditions, promoting understanding and respect for cultural diversity,” de la Vega explained. “It also supports Missouri State’s public affairs mission by fostering cultural competence and creating meaningful intercultural experiences for students and community members.”
Participating schools have included Nixa, Ozark, Clever, Branson, Hollister, Greenwood Laboratory, McDonald County, Strafford, Fair Grove, Anderson and Camdenton, de la Vega added. In 2023 alone, over 600 high school students and their teachers attended the event.
Variety of fun activities
Participants will encounter an exciting range of things to do during the festival. Popular hands-on activities include sugar skull decorating, papel picado (traditional paper art), and Cempasúchil (marigold) flower making. The festival also offers competitions like the Ofrendas, where participants design mini altars from shoeboxes to honor deceased loved ones, and the Calaveritas, which features humorous satirical poems about living people.
In addition, participants will be treated to Mariachi performances, traditional Latin American dance troupes, and a Catrin/Catrina parade. The experience allows guests to experience Día de Muerto’s vibrant artistry and cultural expression, de la Vega said.
Celebrating a cultural tradition
For de la Vega, seeing participants engage authentically with Hispanic culture is especially meaningful. She enjoys watching them create art, music and poetry that reflect the holiday’s spirit.
“Seeing students — especially Spanish heritage speakers — feel represented and celebrated makes the event deeply rewarding,” de la Vega said. She hopes participants will leave with a greater understanding of the meaning behind Día de Muertos, appreciating its rich traditions and respecting cultural differences.
“Día de Muertos at Missouri State has evolved into a vibrant, educational and community-centered tradition,” de la Vega said. “It not only celebrates life and memory, [it] also builds bridges across cultures, enriching the university experience for all who attend.”
Photos provided by the Department of Languages, Cultures and Religions.
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