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HOST:
Welcome to AMERICAN MOSAIC, in VOA Special English.
(MUSIC)
I'm Bob Doughty. On our show this week:
We listen to some music from Annie Lennox ...
Answer a question about an American actress ...
And report about a holiday that honors the dead.
Day of the Dead
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HOST:
An altar at the National Museum of the American Indian
On October thirty-first, many Americans will celebrate Halloween. On that night, people dress up in special clothing to look like scary creatures such as monsters, witches or ghosts. Many children will go door to door in their neighborhoods to "trick or treat" and collect sweets. But for people from Mexico and Central America, this day marks the beginning of celebrations for "Dia de Los Muertos", or "Day of the Dead." Barbara Klein tells us about it.
BARBARA KLEIN:
Day of the Dead honors the memory of loved ones who have died while also celebrating the continuation of life. The ancient tradition started among the native cultures of Mexico. It has its roots in an Aztec tradition of honoring and remembering the dead.
When the Spanish came to Mexico in the sixteenth century, they celebrated the Christian holiday of All Saint's Day in which dead loved ones are also honored. Day of the Dead developed into a combination of both traditions.
People celebrate Day of the Dead on November first and second. Families visit the burial places of their loved ones and make their graves beautiful. They place orange marigold flowers and lighted candles. They bring special food and drinks and spend the night celebrating and telling stories with other members of their community.
Traditional food includes tamales and "pan de muerto," a sweetened bread formed in the shape of a person. Friends and family exchange presents such as "calaveras," sugar candies in the form of a skeleton head. Families have special places in their homes called altars. Here they place flowers, candles and photographs of the loved one being remembered.
Many families from Mexico and Central America keep the tradition alive in the United States. For example, in San Francisco, California, a large community celebration will take place November second. Local artists will create five large public altars. People from around the city will place flowers, photographs and food on the altars.
The Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, Arizona will also celebrate the day with Mexican music and an altar. And, across the street from VOA in Washington, D.C., the National Museum of the American Indian will hold Day of the Dead celebrations this weekend. There will be food, storytelling and music and dance performances.
Julianne Moore
HOST:
Our listener question this week comes from Egypt. Ashraf Yusif Ewiss wants to know about the American actress Julianne Moore. She has become famous for her skillful acting, good looks and striking red hair.
Julianne Moore was born Julie Anne Smith in nineteen sixty. Because her father worked for the United States military, Julie and her brother and sister moved often when they were young. Julie graduated from the American High School in Frankfurt, Germany before attending Boston University in Massachusetts.
Julianne Moore
