Autumn is well and truly here, and we’re getting ready for our annual Día de los Muertos - Day of the Dead - celebration at Chucho’s in Byker.
On Saturday 31 October and Sunday 1 November, we’ll be bringing people together to share food, celebrate and remember those who are no longer with us. At the heart of it will be our ofrenda: an altar filled with flowers, candles, colourful objects and photographs of loved ones.
If you’d like to join us, you’re welcome to bring a photograph of someone you wish to remember.
Talking about death can feel uncomfortable. We can find it sad, difficult or even morbid. But what if we also made space each year to celebrate the lives of the people we’ve lost - to come together, share their stories and remember the things that made them who they were?
Día de los Muertos is a Mexican tradition, observed on 1 and 2 November, that does just that. Filled with colour, music and food, it is perhaps best known for its decorated skulls and Catrina skeleton face painting. Behind those striking images is an opportunity to remember loved ones and keep their stories alive.
It can also be a way to learn about your ancestors and introduce children to family members they never had the chance to meet. Families create an ofrenda, or offering, with marigolds, candles, colourful decorations and, most importantly, photographs and mementoes of the people they want to remember.
As someone British who has been immersed in Mexican culture for the past 13 years, I’ve found it a comforting and often joyful way to approach death and remembrance.
In recent years, I’ve particularly enjoyed sharing the tradition with my son, using it as an opportunity to tell him about family members he never met.
Together, we put photographs on the ofrenda and talk about what else we could add to remember them: a pack of cards for my granny; a toy car for my grandpa. This year, we may even be adding some Dreamies for Bella the cat.
Those little objects give us somewhere to begin. They help us talk about the people — and animals — who have been part of our family, and share memories with the next generation.
Talking about loved ones who have died can bring sadness, of course, but it can bring laughter and affection too. I’m looking forward to remembering the good times while creating some new memories together.
Our celebration takes place at Chucho’s on Shields Road, Byker, from 5–10pm on Saturday 31 October and noon–4pm on Sunday 1 November.
Ellie from Face Your Imagination will provide face painting during the first two hours of each day. Mexican baker Alejandra of Sweet Temptations will be supplying traditional pan de muerto, and Karina from Sicarú will have artisanal products, including hand-painted skulls.
On Saturday, there will be a prize for the best fancy dress, followed by a premium tequila tasting at 8pm (£20 per person).
And, as always, our ofrenda will be there for anyone who would like to add a photograph and remember someone special.
To book a table, call 0191 265 7458 or email chuchosbyker@gmail.com.
Emma and Jesús run Chucho’s Mexican restaurant in Byker, Newcastle upon Tyne (NE6 1DQ).
