Day of the Dead – Family Day
Day of the Dead (Día de Muertos) – Family Day has become one of the most traditional events at Kulttuurikeskus Ninho and is now part of Helsinki’s Cultural Agenda. Regardless of their heritage, families come together to commemorate the departed, learn about the origins of this practice, and engage in various activities suitable for all ages.
This event began at Annatalo Cultural Centre in Helsinki in 2022. During its inaugural year, over 2,000 people visited the Altar exhibition, which lasted for a week. The second edition took place at Oodi Central Library in 2023, featuring a successful Family Day program that attracted over 2800 participants.
In 2024, we will return to Oodi Central Library on November 2nd to honor our loved ones with a Family Day filled with storytelling sessions in Spanish, Finnish, and Swedish, art workshops, a video installation, and a concert.
Although Day of the Dead – Family Day has been produced in Helsinki, we aim to share this beautiful tradition with children and their families all over Finland!
Contact us at info@ninho.fi, and we will bring this colorful event to your municipality or cultural centre.
What is the history of the Day of the Dead tradition and why is it important?
Día de Muertos is a Mexican and Central American tradition celebrated from the last days of October until November 2nd. This tradition uniquely blends elements from indigenous and Christian beliefs. Colorful Altars and other offerings commemorate the temporary return to Earth of deceased relatives and loved ones.
Its significance led to the tradition being proclaimed an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2003.
In 2023, Day of the Dead was added to the Finnish Inventory for Living Heritage, highlighting the growing interest and importance of this practice in Finland.
What are the objetives of this project?
Following our mission to develop a more diverse children’s culture in Finland, the Day of the Dead – Family Day project has various goals, with the most important being fostering a sense of community and acknowledging the tradition.
The main goals are:
- To promote the communal spirit around honouring our ancestors, by putting aside personal believes.
- To learn together about the ancestral tradition of Día de Muertos and its importance to the Mexican and Central American cultures.
- To involve families in practicing this tradition through various activities that strengthen the sense of community.
What activities include the program of Day of the Dead – Family Day?
Over the years, Día de Muertos – Family Day has featured a range of activities, including workshops and performances for children lead by Mexican artists, multilingual storytelling sessions, and information sharing.
Multilingual Storytelling
Storytime sessions in Spanish, Finnish, and Swedish (added in 2024) have helped children learn about the tradition, emotions, and other practices surrounding the death of loved ones through children’s books.
Nonstop Art Workshops
Art workshops introduce children and families to the elements of the altar, allowing them to create their own mini-altars and come together as a community while remembering their loved ones.
Visual installations
The program includes a visual installation created by Mexican designers, that creates the perfect ambiance to immerse in the tradition.
Performances and Concerts
Performances or concerts are an essential part of Ninho’s Family Day, exploring traditional rhythms and new compositions in Mexican contemporary music.
Day of the Dead – Altar exhibition
Thanks to a collaboration with the Embassy of Mexico in Finland and Estonia, Día de Muertos – Family Day included a traditional altar in 2022 and 2023, featuring important elements brought from different Mexican regions.
Day of the Dead – Family Day 2024 Program
The 3rd edition of Day of the Dead – Family Day 2024 was held at Oodi Central Library (Helsinki) on November 2nd. The program featured storytelling, music, art workshops, and visual art, creating a beautiful experience for all ages.
New activities this year included a storytelling session in Swedish and a collaborative installation created by all participating families, designed by Mexican illustrator Mariana Núñez Sánchez.
Also, for the very first time, Ninho traveled outside of Helsinki. The event took place in Somero on October 10th, as part of the “Meksikolainen – Iltapäivä!” organized by the association Fontan.
Day of the Dead 2024 Collaborators and Supporters
