BRONX — Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is being celebrated at a New York destination that‘s full of life.
On Oct. 3, the New York Botanical Garden debuted a month–long artistic and floral installation inspired by Mexico’s beloved holiday honoring the lives and memories of departed loved ones.
Visitors can explore a garden adorned with traditional symbols of the holiday, including artfully arranged calaveras, a massive Catrina figure and a colorful community ofrenda, or altar of remembrance.
“The ofrenda is a space for visitors to bring something to honor and recognize their loved one,” said Helena LaPorte-Burns, director of public programming at the New York Botanical Garden. “A lot of the way that’s done is through, like, offerings of food or photographs.”
Richard Heredia of Long Island City said the installation offered an opportunity to honor his mother, whose birthday fell on the day he visited.
“I lost my mom recently, a couple of years ago,” Heredia said. “Today actually would have been her birthday, so I wanted to just be a little closer to her.”
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Through Nov. 2, visitors are encouraged to bring copies of photos or other mementos to leave at the installation. Those who do not bring items from home can create their own offerings using materials available at a nearby remembrance table.
Heredia said the holiday offers a way to celebrate his mother‘s life rather than focus solely on the sadness of her death.
“Death isn’t so sad. It’s a celebration of life,” he explained. “And so that’s what I wanted to be here and see it and kind of just, you know, feel her energy with me today.”
Rooted in the traditions of Indigenous peoples of Mesoamerica, Día de los Muertos dates back thousands of years. People observe the holiday annually on Nov. 1 — All Saints Day — and Nov. 2 — All Souls Day.
According to tradition, the boundary between the spirit world and the physical world dissolves during this time, allowing the souls of the dead to return and reunite with loved ones through food, drink, dancing, and music.
Lizzette Mantilla, another visitor, said she was drawn to the installation because it offers a space to reflect on loss while keeping loved ones’ memories alive.
“Death has its phase, right. It’s a grief phase. But it’s also an opportunity to stop and remember and keep them always with us,” she said. “So, I appreciate that there is a time on the calendar where we can just take a moment to slow down and remember those who are not with us.”
