LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) – Dia de los Muertos, also known as the Day of the Dead, is a two-day holiday traditionally celebrated in Mexico that reunites the living and the dead. Families create offerings, or offerings, to honor their family members who have passed away.

The students and teachers of the ESL department at Lake Charles Charter Academy decided to bring the magic of the holiday to the school halls.

“It was an opportunity for us to share all cultures with our students and experience something different and something very important,” said reading teacher Elena Flores Moore. “Everyone has been willing to share photos of their loved ones who have passed away and it’s a great way to honor them.”

The altars are used to display ofrendas and are decorated with bright yellow marigold flowers, photographs of the departed, and the favorite foods and drinks of the honorees, which is not exclusive to just humans.

Moore said she even put up a picture of her dog and left her favorite foods on the altar.

For students, the altar means a lot.

Marleny Mointero Mendez brought a picture of her abuelito (grandfather) and said that this holiday reminds her of the festivities at home.

Marleny says that in Mexico, she and her family would visit the cemetery and decorate the gravestone of their loved ones.

The school is just one of the Dia de los Muertos festivities happening in southwest Louisiana, with a big festival this weekend made possible by the Louisiana Cultural Arts and Music Association.

“I’m so excited to bring this to Lake Charles because we’re the beginning of Louisiana,” she said.

Before moving to the Lake District, Edwina Medearis lived in New Mexico. She says the annual festivities there inspired her to bring her here.

The festival will have music and dancing by local people.

“It’s very beautiful, showing how we come together, little by little my family showed me our traditions, our music and our dances and I’m very proud of where I am,” said Violeta Ortiz, one of the performers for the festival.

The festival will take place on Saturday, November 2nd at the Arcade Amphitheater next to the Lake Charles Event Center.

It will be held from 2 to 8 p.m. and will be the first official Dia de los Muertos celebration in Lake Charles.

The celebration and festival is open to anyone who wishes to keep the memories of loved ones alive.

For more information about the festival, click Here.

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