Day of the Dead
October 2013
For the second year running, Melbourne will join in the celebration of the “Dia de Los Muertos” (Day of the Dead) through food, drink, music and art.
The Day of the Dead Festival promotes this ancient Mexican tradition through educating and integrating the Melbourne community in a festive and colourful way.
Restaurateurs, chefs, artists, and many other community members will enjoy and learn about this uniquely creative festival day, where rich cultural diversity and tradition are celebrated, along with the honouring and remembering of the lives of departed family members. It is believed that during this day the spirit of the departed make an annual visit to those loved ones left behind. UNESCO has declared it a masterpiece of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Proud Mexican señor, Ricardo Amare, is the creative director and brains behind the Day of the Dead Festival. Amare arrived in Melbourne eight years ago, feeling an urgent need to introduce Melbourne to Mexico in a high-end, contemporary form. He has since been highly influential in the restaurant trade, and has plans to take the Festival to every Australian city.
As part of the design of the ‘look’ of the Festival, Amare has drawn in some outstanding national and international collaborators, including Irish milliner Philip Treacy for Alexander McQueen’s headpiece for the shoot.
Don’t let the word ‘dead’ scare you off. The Day of the Dead Festival raises awareness about the relationship and connection we have with our beloved ancestors and family members who have passed away. Although this celebration is associated with the dead, it is not portrayed as a morbid or depressing time, but rather a period happiness, colour, food and fun shard with family and friends. Mexicans celebrate this special holiday season by remembering all the people that came before them, the ones they loved with, the ones they laughed with and no doubt being Mexicans, the ones they danced with amongst many shots of tequila.
So why not honour those that have passed by, the most important people in life’s journey, by throwing a massive party full of all of the things they know they’d like?
With Mexican restaurants becoming increasingly popular and many new ones opening this year in Melbourne, some of the signature restaurants, riding the Mexican wave, have been invited to join the festival and be a part of this wonderful celebration.
On Saturday November 2, 405 Flinders Lane will be transformed, with the usually Victorian cream walls of the building will become a projection of colourful death masks and Mexican art and Aztec dancers will celebrate their ancestors. There will also be the pulsing backdrop beat of Mexican tunes as provided by underground Mexican and Melbourne DJs as well as the traditional instruments and sounds of a Mexican mariachi band.
You can support the Festival by participating as a sponsor, exhibitor, artist, and/or volunteer, and share with family and friends one part of the Mexican way of life. On November 2, this Day of the Dead party will officially put Mexico’s traditions, not just their fabulous food, firmly on the Melbourne map.
The Day of the Dead Festival is on November 2 at 405 Flinders Lane, from 3pm – 1am.
Tickets are $35 and can be purchased online.
dotdfestival.com.au
facebook.com/dotdfest
@dayofdeadfest
Image courtesy of Peter Coulson
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