Singing, dancing and storytelling will be the tools used this Saturday to showcase diversity at the Arizona Humanities Festival at Civic Space Park.
The festival, titled “Stories of Us!,” is presented by the Arizona Humanities Council and is free to the public. Activities start at 10:00 a.m. and end at 6:00 p.m.
Attending the festival presents the opportunity for visitors to understand other cultures, allowing them to connect with people on a more human level, said Erica Kinias, programs and grants manager for the council.
“People usually think history when they hear the word humanities, and our goal is to show people something different than academics,” she said.
People are encouraged to bring a photo of their family, share their story and become storytellers of their own lives.
“It’s not a passive event,” Kinias said. “We want people to engage in the who, what and why aspects.”
The festival will include performances of cultural music and dances, screenings of documentaries and numerous discussions throughout the day.
One of ASU’s contributions to the festival will be that of its Spanish Club, whose members Kinias said approached the festival with ideas for the Dia de los Muertos booth.
“We are lucky to have joined with ASU because the goal is to reach as many people as possible,” Kinias said.
Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a holiday that traces its roots to Mexico and takes place on Nov. 2. On Dia de los Muertos people remember, mourn and appreciate their present and past relationships, said Carmen King, a Spanish professor who is running the Dia de los Muertos booth.
Though most people associate skulls and skeletons with diabolic images, the Dia de los Muertos uses these symbols as a way of remembering that death is a process, King said.
Kinias said accepting other cultures is important. Arts and crafts for Dia de los Muertos celebration can help people learn and understand the traditions.
“You will go to the festival, and you will learn something new in an engaging way,” Kinias said.
Contact the reporter at checkard@asu.edu
