November 02

Day of the Dead is a Mexican cultural tradition spanning November 1 and 2, with November 2 dedicated specifically to adults who have passed away. Known as Día de los Muertos, the celebration blends Aztec rituals with Catholic customs. Families build vibrant ofrendas or altars decorated with marigolds, candles, photographs, and the favorite foods of their deceased loved ones. They visit cemeteries to clean and decorate graves, share stories, and hold picnics next to tombstones. Iconic elements include sugar skulls (calaveras), decorative skeleton figures, and pan de muerto. The festivities honor death as a natural part of life and reinforce family and community bonds. UNESCO proclaimed Day of the Dead as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2008. Today, the holiday inspires art, music, film, and public events that extend far beyond Mexico's borders.

Dziady is a Slavic ancestral feast celebrated in Belarus and parts of Eastern Europe, typically observed on November 2. The term dziady means 'grandfathers' or departed ancestors. During Dziady, families set a place at the table, light candles, and offer food and drink to welcome ancestral spirits. Rituals include chapel visits, blessing graves, and communal prayers for the well-being of both the living and the dead. Folk songs, storytelling, and ritual ceremonies reflect a blend of pre-Christian pagan rites and Orthodox Christian traditions. The observance fosters respect for lineage, memory, and the cycle of life and death. In recent years, cultural revivals have renewed interest in Dziady as an expression of Belarusian heritage and identity.