KQED's Forum How Día de Los Muertos Continues to Evolve
Oct 31, 2025
Join artist Rio Yañez, boutique owner and author Luisa Navarro, and Dr. Belinda Hernandez Arriaga, a social worker, as they explore the vibrant cultural tapestry of Día de Los Muertos. They dive into the evolution of traditions and how personal altars are shaped by family history. Dr. Arriaga discusses the holiday’s role in community healing and resilience. The impact of modern media and art on public celebrations, along with touches on addressing grief and honoring diverse ancestors, make this conversation an engaging homage to a beloved tradition.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Chicano Reinvention Shapes Modern Observance
- Día de los Muertos in Northern California blends indigenous roots with Chicano reinvention and artistic reinterpretation.
- Alexis Madrigal highlights this evolution as a response to marginalization and cultural reawakening.
A Home Altar That Grows Every Year
- Rio Yañez described setting up a growing, traditional home altar that includes pop-culture mini-altars.
- He inherited a conceptual, pop-art altar aesthetic from his father Rene Yañez.
Altar Begun As A Grief Practice
- Luisa Navarro began building altars after her cousin Lila died at 24 to help process grief.
- Her family mixes traditions from Saltillo and Michoacán, and she honors ancestors like her great-great-grandfather.
