Nancy Cote Perez, originally from Mexico and a resident of Étampes, wished to introduce a tradition from her country to the public: El Día de Muertos. This festival, held on November 1st and 2nd, honors the departed in a joyful atmosphere, marked by warm colors, shared memories, and the preservation of the memory of those who have passed. It is expressed through a decorated altar (la ofrenda) with flowers (el cempasúchil), colorful skulls (las calaveras), candles (las velas), photographs, traditional dishes like pan de muerto, paper garlands, and offerings.
About twenty people attended an event at the Étampes Youth Information Service (SIJE) on Friday, October 30th, to discover this tradition. Following an explanation and the presentation of the altar by Nancy Cote Perez, participants decorated skulls with paint to transform them into calaveras.
During the workshop, Nancy Cote Perez offered a tasting of el pan de muerto, a brioche flavored with orange blossom water, accompanied by hot chocolate spiced with cinnamon. On this occasion, Mayor Gilles Bayart presented Nancy Cote Perez with a bouquet of flowers to thank her for this cultural exchange and to commend her volunteer work in social centers where she offers free Spanish classes.
“"Our town is rich in its diversity and cultures"
Altars are also displayed at the SIJE, as well as at the Espaces Rosa-Parks and Camille-Claudel, where further presentations and tastings are scheduled: on Wednesday, November 4th at 3 PM at Espace Rosa-Parks (35, boulevard de Montfaucon) and on Friday, November 6th at 2:30 PM at Espace Camille-Claudel (119 bis, boulevard Saint-Michel).
