'Day of the Dead' procession at the U on Friday

Last update: October 30, 2008 - 12:52 PM

University of Minnesota students, faculty and staff will celebrate Dia de los Muertos ("Day of the Dead") on Friday.

A procession with costumed participants, dancers and noise makers will travel across campus, stopping at handmade altars, or ofrendas, that both remember lost loved ones and address the theme "Remembering Our Histories: Stories of Empowerment."

Starting at 11:30 a.m., the procession will go from Klaeber Court to Scott Hall by noon, continue to the La Raza Student Cultural Center by 1 p.m. and continue in front of Coffman Memorial Union until about 1:45 p.m.

An introduction of an ofrenda, along with the serving of pan de muerto ("bread of the dead") and chocolate will also take place in the front of Coffman at that time.

The event is sponsored by the U's Chicano studies department, the Multicultural Center for Academic Excellence, La Raza Student Cultural Center and Department of Theatre Arts and Dance.

The Day of the Dead dates to the ancient civilization of the Aztecs.

--PAUL WALSH