Spanish language classes and the Spanish Club are celebrating El Dia de los Muertos,“The Day of the Dead,” on Nov. 3 during lunch.

El Dia de los Muertos, traditionally celebrated on Nov. 1-2,  is the Mexican holiday on which the living honor the spirits of the dead and invite them to return home for several hours before returning to the land of the dead.

In the Mexican culture, ofrendas, or altars, are made to honor the deceased. Favorite food and drinks are also set out to draw the soul home.

Candles and marigolds, the flower which represents death, are put on the ofrenda.

Unlike Halloween, El Dia de los Muertos is seen as a positive celebration of life and is a time to honor one’s ancestors.

The Spanish IV and V classes will be making ofrendas and doing presentations during the lunchtime celebration to honor deceased Mexican luminaries, including artists Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera and revolutionary Emiliano Zapata.

All faculty and students are invited to join the festivities in the conference room at lunch.

The Spanish Club will be assisting with activities, including making paper flowers and paper masks, to engage visitors in the spirit of El Dia de los Muertos.