The day before the election, political tensions were set aside at Ventura College as the campus honored the dead for Día de los Muertos. Just outside the cafeteria, tall, colorful altars and small art exhibits were set up by MEChA to both pay respect to the dead and draw in interested students on Monday, Nov. 3.

The event was sponsored by MEChA and hosted by Javier Gomez, artistic director of the Inlekech Center, the event was used as an opportunity to inform students about the celebration. “It’s very positive,” said Gomez. “We’re going from city to city planting the seeds, getting people interested.”

Celebrated all over the world, Día de los Muertos is a day of remembrance and commemoration of those who have died. Although Día de los Muertos occurs on Nov. 2, the MEChA celebration took place on the day after to accommodate students. The event began with an explanation of the history and the cultural importance of Día de los Muertos from Gomez.

As Gomez spoke, MEChA members passed out yellow carnations and a sweet bread called “pan de muerto” to students. After Gomez finished speaking, students were invited to paint candy sugar skulls with brightly colored frostings, which are traditionally placed on altars set up to honor family and friends who have died.

“I knew about this, because I was raised in a Mexican family, but even I learned something,” said Peter Aguirre, 21, a psychology major. “I’d love to see this next year and it be even bigger.”