Celebrate Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) with Ohio State’s Department of Spanish and Portuguese, Latinx Studies Program, and Wexner Center for the Arts.
This celebration combines two events: Día de los Muertos and a book launch for Ohio State Professor of Latin American Cultural and Literary Studies Paloma Martinez-Cruz. Titled Trust the Circle: The Resistance and Resilience of Rubén Castilla Herrera (2023), this new publication is a biography of a Latinx Columbus activist who made lasting and profound contributions to the community and was instrumental in the city’s observances of the Día de los Muertos holiday. Join us for community conversations; a book reading and signing; snacks, including tamales, pan de muertos (Mexican bread of the dead), and hot chocolate; ofrendas (altars); button making; and a limited-edition 2023 calavera (sugar skull) poetry book for all ages. All are welcome to celebrate departed loved ones and participate in this tradition.
Program Schedule
Community Conversations
Thu, Nov 2 | 4–5 PM
Lower Lobby and Heirloom Café
Registration required
Join a hosted circle of life community conversation following the style of Herrera’s Día de los Muertos practices.
Book Reading
Thu, Nov 2 | 5:15–6 PM
Wexner Center Store
Martinez-Cruz reads from her book Trust the Circle: The Resistance and Resilience of Rubén Castilla Herrera with contributors Nicholas Pasquarello, Pranav Jani, and Erin Upchurch.
Book Signing and Celebration
Thu, Nov 2 | 6:15–7:30 PM
Lower Lobby and Heirloom Café
Enjoy snacks, beverages, and family-friendly activities.