TRADITIONAL MEXICAN HOLIDAY, DAY OF THE DEAD,

TO BE CELEBRATED AT SUNNYVALE LIBRARY

SUNNYVALE, Calif. – The traditional Mexican holiday, Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) will be celebrated Thursday, October 21, 2004, at 7 p.m. in the Program Room of the Sunnyvale Public Library. This free program is for the whole family and is sponsored by the Friends of the Sunnyvale Public Library.

Armando Ramirez will talk about Day of the Dead and tell stories for children, and Miguel and Emilio Quintana will demonstrate the art of making sugar skulls. Families are invited to bring something (not valuable) that reminds them of a loved one who has passed away to share on the ofrenda table. The traditional sweet bread for the day will be served after the program along with hot chocolate.

Día de los Muertos is a holiday that honors family members who have passed away. In Mexico, hundreds of people visit cemeteries, decorate graves with flowers and candles, and often stay through the night, quietly sitting by the graves. The day shares its heritage with many festivals around the world including All Saints’ Day in western Europe.

More information on the program is available on the Library’s Web site at www.sunnyvalelibrary.org, or by calling the children’s desk at (408) 730-7292, TDD (408) 730-7501.