How Día de Los Muertos Continues to Evolve

KQED's Forum

Orange marigolds, sugar skulls, skeleton face paint, and altars lined with photos and candles have become familiar elements for commemorating Day of the Dead, the ritual practice of honoring the deceased that has become a cultural phenomenon. Many of the traditions go back thousands of years to the indigenous peoples of Mexico, but others have roots in the United States, where the some of the first Día de los Muertos celebrations took place in 1972 with an altar in front of the Galería de la Raza in San Francisco’s Mission District. We’ll talk about the essence of this holiday and how the traditions, iconography and meaning continue to evolve.

Guests:

Liv Styler, artist and writer; her piece, “Memento (Me)mori(as),” is part of the SOMArts exhibit "Día de Los Muertos 2025: We Love You"

Luisa Navarro, boutique owner, Mexico in My Pocket; author, "Mexico's Day of the Dead"

Rio Yañez, artist and curator, co-curator, "Día de Los Muertos 2025: We Love You" at SOMArts

Dr. Belinda Hernandez Arriaga, executive director and founder, ALAS, Ayudando Latinos A Soñar; licensed clinical social worker

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