Mexican Montrealers celebrate the Day of the Dead

People gathered in Notre-Dame-de-Grce this afternoon to celebrateDiadeMuertos, or Day of the Dead, a Mexican holiday that honours those who have passed away.

The day commemorates the brief return to Earth of deceased relatives and loved ones. Rafael Benitez, who runs the non-profit group that organized the celebration, said the idea is that their spirits come to visit from the land of the dead.

"It's not hell or heaven, it's some place they live," he told CBC's All in a Weekend.

The day is a celebration of the things the deceased loved while they were alive. Many of the offerings flowers, craftsand food, for example are for those ancestors to enjoy.

Benitezexplained the belief is thatthe dead are capable of bringing prosperity or misfortuneupon their families depending on how satisfactorily the rituals are executed.

And while it's a day about the dead, it's not a sad day. Death is not easy, but it's part of life, Benitez said.

"It's a way to keep in touch with tradition and roots, and also honour the teachings of our ancestors. It's being in contact with them,"Benitezsaid.

The NDGcelebration took place at the Carrefour Jeunesse Emploion Sherbrooke Street West. It featured 10 different altars made by people in the Mexican community and guests were invited to bring a photo of a dead loved one to lay at the altar if they wished.

There was music by local group,Las Mechas, and pan demuertos, a round, sweet, orange-flavouredbread that's only eaten duringthe holiday.

"With hot chocolate, that tastes very good," Benitez said.

They also auctionedfull colour posters made by Mexican artists. The plan is to send the proceeds to Mexico to help victims of September's deadly earthquake.

Benitez's non-profit is calledPAALMontreal, and he runs it with his wifePilar Hernandez. Their goal is to help facilitate cultural exchanges.

The event was a way to share Mexico's culture with others and teach them about what the celebration is about, he explained.