Broomfield Library invites residents to honor loved ones at its community ofrenda

Corbett Stevenson, Daily Camera, Boulder, Colo.
·2 min read

Oct. 4—Gena Valdez spent her Sunday setting up the Broomfield Library's community ofrenda, a table on the first floor of the Broomfield Library decorated with brightly colored banners that will soon be filled with mementos and offerings to lost loved ones.

"The ofrenda is a celebration of the ongoing afterlife of your loved ones. The altar is to symbolize their soul and their journey through their afterlife," said Valdez, a Broomfield community member and volunteer at the library.

The history of the ofrenda and Dia de los Muertos, the holiday intended to celebrate the lives of the departed, can be traced back to pre-colonial Mexico. Hundreds of years later, the tradition is still very much alive across the world.

"The offerings symbolize their souls and their journey from the living world to the world of the dead," Valdez said.

"Offerings can be things like food and drinks, photographs, sugar skulls or candles and flowers. The library is asking that community members avoid adding perishable items to the ofrenda, but fake food, photographs and anything that doesn't violate the library's code of conduct is welcome."

According to programming librarian Johanna Dadisman, the response to the ofrenda has been overwhelmingly positive.

"We had over 40 items added last year, and people loved that interactive component," she said.

In addition to welcoming those that already celebrated Dia de los Muertos with an ofrenda, Dadisman said the community ofrenda is designed to teach people from all backgrounds about the celebration.

"I didn't grow up celebrating Dia de los Muertos," she said. "That's not my background, but being able to work with folks who did and learn from them has been so cool."

Offerings can be made at the ofrenda any time the library is open — 9 a.m to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. It will remain at the library throughout the month of October.

In addition, anyone who wants to learn more about ofrendas or Dia de los Muertos are invited to attend the library's Oct. 30th community conversation that will address the topic. Registration is not required but craft supplies are limited to 35 participants.