Screenings 17 October 2024
Day of the deid
This month’s blog was written by Mariana Bracho Escalante. Mariana is originally from Cancun Mexico but moved to Scotland in 2022 and has made Falkirk her home for the last two years. Mariana has worked with refugees and asylum seekers for the last ten years and she now works for Falkirk Council as a Refugee Resettlement Worker. She has lived in Spain, Mexico, Palestine, England and now Scotland. She loves to travel, read and has a deep love for films. To coincide with our screenings of the Disney-Pixar animation Coco (2017) at the Hippodrome on 26th and 27th October, we invited Mariana to write a blog piece about the Day of the Dead tradition from her home-country, so central to the film. Mariana is also creating a special Day of the Dead altar at the Hippodrome which you can see when you visit in the days leading up to the screenings and you can even take up Mariana’s invitation to make your own addition to the altar.
My favourite Mexican tradition.
How would you feel if the soul of your loved ones came back once every year?
In Mexican Tradition this happens on the 2nd of November every year. We call it “Day of the deid” or “Dia de los Muertos”.
We believe that our loved ones are able to come back from the world of the dead to the world of the living, on an unusual but exceptional bridge that opens between the two worlds just for that one night.
It’s a time to rejoice in the reunion with a dearly departed. Whilst they are here, they get to eat, drink and dance next to the altar (ofrenda) which is set a couple of days prior to their arrival.
Altars are created in the family home by every single family member, even the wee ones! The altar is filled with vibrant colours given by the tissue paper cut in different shapes. The main idea is to place in the altar everything that they used to love while they were still alive, including their favourite foods and drinks.
It is custom to place photographs of them and cempazuchitl a type of orange flower that typically blossoms throughout the Mexican autumn, as well as a path of candles, both with the intention to light and guide their way back home.
Day of the dead is a tradition that celebrates life and death. In Mexican belief it’s a way of honouring and remembering your loved ones whilst also being able to feel them close to you for one more night.
Since I was a child, this has been my absolute favourite Mexican tradition. My name is Mariana, and I did my first altar when I was probably around four- or five-years-old with my mum. Smell of hot chocolate and orange flowers would be all over the house and you could see every single colour there was, next to the photographs of our loved ones. Even our hamster “Marx” had a place in the altar, as it is custom to make room for pets that have passed away too.
Everyone and anyone that has ever lost someone knows how heartbreaking grief can feel. One of the most magical things about this tradition is sharing that grief with other people. Understanding we all experience death in different ways and that it’s something we all have to live with. And what a better way to alight such heavy burdens than by doing it, not alone, but together with hot chocolate and apapachos (cuddles) from your loved ones.
I moved to Falkirk two two years ago and I have fallen in love with this place and its people. Scottish people are welcoming, kind and funny. Scotland has a lot to offer, from majestic creatures like the Kelpies to breathtaking views and walks. When I first moved here, I wanted to find local cinemas, as I’ve been a cinephile since I can remember. That’s how I found the Hippodrome Silent Film Festival and the Hippodrome Cinema in Bo’ness. Naturally, I fell completely in love with Scotland’s oldest cinema, I was enchanted by the constellation in the ceiling and the warm welcome I received. It was here I watched my first silent film on the big screen and, for me, it was pure magic.
I’ve always felt cinema is a powerful tool to communicate, and when used with good intentions it can change lives and ways of thinking. And with the upcoming screening of Coco it can change your perspective not only on life, but on death too.
Coco is a movie that shares what the Day of the Dead tradition is all about. Do come along to watch this beautiful movie on your own, or with family and friends on Saturday, 26 Oct 24 at 11:00 a.m or on Sunday, 27 Oct 24 at 13:30 p.m for a relaxed screening environment adapted to be more welcoming and accessible to people with additional needs. You can book here.
You’ll be able to see the real altar at The Hippodrome that I have created with my mother who is visiting from Mexico, and to learn more about the tradition behind this beautiful, mystical and magical piece of Mexican culture.
You are very welcome to bring a picture of your loved ones if you would like, to add them to the altar and contemplate how would you feel if the soul of your loved ones came back once every year.
