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Ofrenda contest celebrates passed loved ones for Dia De Los Muertos

By Nathaniel Enierga

Long Beach City College held an Ofrenda contest at a Latinx heritage month event on Friday, along with poetry readings and cultural performances.

In Latinx culture, Ofrendas are usually set up on Dia de Muertos to celebrate the life of loved ones who have passed away.

One of the contestants, Giovani Bautista, had a heart-warming theme behind his altar.

“Our altar is dedicated to our abuelitas, paying respect and memory to the things they’ve taught us,” Bautista said.

Ofrendas consist of objects that once belonged to the individual who is being celebrated. Objects like photographs and food, such as Pan de Muerto.

Onlookers viewing contestant’s altars at the Dia de Los Muertos event on the Liberal Arts Campus during Latinx Heritage month. Photo by Nathaniel Enierga.

Every unique altar was filled with different decorative pieces from festive breads to vibrantly colored flowers.

Instructor Melissa Ramirez was one of the contestants in the event.

“Our Ofrenda is filled with traditional influences, with aspects such as marigolds, pan de muertos. We also mixed traditional influences with specific influences, such as books to highlight Latinx philosophers,” Ramirez explained.

Student Kylie-Sky Lindsey helped her professor set up an altar at the event.

“I wasn’t aware there was a contest, I’m just really passionate about the holiday, and thought this was a fun way to be apart of it,” Lindsey said.

Instructor, Melissa Ramirez’s altar, filled with traditional influences, as well as Latinx philosophy books at the Dia de Los Muertos event. Photo by Nathaniel Enierga.

Along with the Ofrenda contest, there were also interactive activities such as face painting, coloring and making paper marigolds.

This was the closing event for Latinx heritage month.

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