Every October, Día de Muertos brings the community together at Esther Short Park for an evening of art, music, dance, remembrance, and celebration.

Día de Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is an ancestral observance that honors those who have passed. Its traditions are deeply rooted in the Indigenous cultures of Mexico and predate colonization. Today, Día de Muertos is celebrated by communities around the world. The event at Esther Short Park is a welcoming space for people of all backgrounds to experience Mexican culture, build understanding, and find connection through music, dance, remembrance, and celebration.

Now in its sixth year, Luminarias Día de Muertos has become a beloved community event. For founder Anna Cruz and her daughters, Marianna and Maia, Día de Muertos is a family tradition, and they work together with their nonprofit Vancouver Ballet Folklorico to carry it forward. Anna’s husband also helps bring the celebration to life as an MC, DJ, and prop support, while her mother and sister contribute handmade flowers and help with setup from beginning to end.

In this interview, they share how those traditions have shaped their lives, and why making space for remembrance, cultural understanding, and connection matters.

For Anna: As a community leader and mother, what has it been like watching Marianna and Maia grow into their own as multimedia artists, and how does seeing their perspectives influence your own vision for Vancouver Ballet Folklórico?

Anna: It is very rewarding to watch Marianna and Maia embracing their culture, language, and traditions. I am proud to see them use their creativity through murals, visual art, storytelling, and media to leave their own mark. They bring a new perspective to Vancouver Ballet Folklórico and help us connect our culture and our work with more people. They have become an important part of our team and help us continue to grow our presence in the community. It makes me proud to see what they have learned and make it their own while honoring where they come from.

For Maia: Growing up with Mexican dance and traditions as part of your everyday life, how has that upbringing shaped the way you see your culture today, and how has it inspired you to share those traditions with others?

Maia: Having it so present in my life and upbringing has given me a sense of pride and fulfillment, especially when I am able to express it through art, cultural exchange, or even advocacy. Seeing the shift in representation and appreciation of my culture in the community has made it easier to share these traditions! I share my traditions and experiences with others so they can reconnect, strengthen or even learn something they never knew about. I believe that one of the ways one can appreciate cultures is to take the time to learn about it and to be given those opportunities. 

For Marianna: You’ve built a rich creative portfolio across video production, social media, murals, and visual art. How has growing up surrounded by traditional Mexican dance, culture, and your mother’s work shaped your personal artistic voice?

Marianna: All my life I have been exposed to all types of art forms: painting, art competitions, dances of all kinds, singing, piano, and more, thanks to my mom’s passion and love of art. It has truly shaped me into the person and artist I am today and has become an outlet for my cultural identity and experiences. Growing up in a predominantly white neighborhood and school, I felt a disconnect between the people around me and the culture I was raised in. I often felt like an outlier and so exotic for some. However, my mom never let us assimilate and instead would teach us about our traditions and celebrations, which were always full of color and passion. I then started to incorporate this into my artistic journey, and it started to inspire others since it came straight from my heart.

For Maia: As one of the MCs for Luminarias Día de Muertos, you have a role in helping tell the story of the celebration, not just through dance, but through your voice, ideas, and connection with the community. What do you hope people understand or feel when they experience Día de Muertos through this event?

Maia: When interacting as MC or a dancer, my hope is that people can see how deeply ingrained these practices are in my life and how anyone can take part in it, especially when they understand the significance and context behind why it’s celebrated. It also gives me the voice to share more on the historical background-especially recognizing colonialism, conversion, and how it affected indigenous practices and how it is known today. I hope they lean into the solemn moments and the equally important joyous ones that encapsulate what Día de Muertos is all about!

For Anna: The Luminarias Día de Muertos celebration highlights the ancestral roots of the tradition dating back long before colonization. Why is hosting an accessible, free event at Esther Short Park so vital for preserving these indigenous roots and educating the broader community?

Anna: Our Latino community is growing, and during challenging times, sharing our culture through art and tradition is a way to remain present, positive, and visible. Luminarias allows us to honor the ancestral roots of Día de Muertos while helping others learn and appreciate these traditions. Making the event free means making it inclusive. Gathering at beautiful Esther Short Park is also meaningful to us. It is a way to acknowledge the land while preserving and sharing our roots with the community.

For Marianna: You capture so much of the community’s heart through your camera and digital media, from social media storytelling to visual art pieces centered on Día de Muertos. How do you approach presenting an event that carries so much emotional weight, grief, and vibrant celebration all at once?

Marianna: I approach it by keeping it real with people. I don’t really like to sugarcoat anything, especially a traditional celebration that has been around for centuries. I do love to capture the vibrant atmosphere, its colors, and fun celebrations, but it’s my responsibility to teach people about the deeper meanings that come with it. Everyone’s lost someone before and has felt grief and sadness, and with our annual Día de Muertos event, it’s a way we can all connect with each other, share those emotions, and celebrate life together.

For Anna: The main ofrenda (altar) is a central space where attendees bring photos of their passed loved ones. What does it mean to you personally to create a shared space in Vancouver where families can collectively honor their ancestors?

Anna: For me, creating the main ofrenda with my family feels like opening my home to all cultures. It is a place where families can come together, remember their loved ones, share their stories, and honor those who came before us. It is a beautiful way to bring people together through love, memory, and tradition.

For the three of you: When attendees walk away from the Luminarias Día de Muertos celebration, what do you hope they carry with them about this tradition?

Anna: I hope people leave with a feeling of peace and a deeper understanding that life and death are both natural parts of our journey. We hope they carry with them a sense of connection, love, and appreciation for the people and traditions that came before us.

Maia: I would definitely hope families continue to pass these practices on to our future generations-give opportunities for learning and spaces to teach about our practices so they are not forgotten or appropriated! 

Marianna: When people attend our festival, I hope that they walk away with a sense of community, peace, love, and respect. I also hope that they leave with a better understanding of our culture and our people, as well as all other cultures in our community. Death has no color, no religion, and will happen to all of us, but that doesn’t mean we should fear it. We need to embrace it as one human race and celebrate life together! 

Photo by Eduardo Torres

Interview by Mark Keraly