Days of the Dead: a window on the Otherworld
When we die, what happens to the force that animated us?
Does it somehow continue?
Somewhere?
Does the energy of our ancestors still exist?
Humans, across this planet, have pondered these wonder-filled questions since the dawning of their self-consciousness – and everywhere the response makes itself felt in life-affirming rites and celebrations. In Europe, the pre-Christian festival that the Celtic peoples called ‘Samhain ’ was syncretised (absorbed and melded with) into the Christian Calendar and Christian practice as the Hallowtide feasts of All Saints (November 1st) and All Souls (November 2nd). Outrage at this pagan festival honouring and supporting the ancestors as if they could still be present on earth provoked Martin Luther’s protest, and, in the new Protestant culture, the festival was downgrade leaving only the ghoul fest of Halloween. However, honouring and remembering the dead continues in Catholic countries, most spectacularly in Mexico, where the festival syncretised once more with an indigenous tradition. Legendary storytelling organisation, The Crick Crack Club, has been marking this joyous festival for over two decades and here we humbly and lovingly offer a shrine to all human ancestors – freed from the bindings of earthly geography.
Passersby will be invited to contribute messages to the dead, which will be added to the shrine on a daily basis.
