Día de Muertos at UFV: Celebrating with a Traditional Ofrenda and the Craft of Pan de Muerto

By María Eugenia de Luna, PhD.

As Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) approached, the Spanish Program at the University of the Fraser Valley led the campus in celebrating this vibrant cultural tradition. A central part of the festivities was a beautiful Altar, or Ofrenda, arranged with traditional offerings such as candles, marigolds, photographs, and favourite foods of those remembered. This display invited UFV’s Spanish students and the broader community to learn about and participate in the celebration of Día de Muertos, providing a window into the tradition’s deep significance.

To complement the Ofrenda, the Spanish Program organized an experiential learning activity for 200- and 300-level students to engage with another iconic aspect of Día de Muertos: the making of Pan de Muerto. This beloved bread, known for its symbolic design and rich flavours, plays a central role in Día de Muertos celebrations by honouring the memories of departed loved ones.

Through this immersive experience, students moved beyond the classroom and into the kitchen at Chilliwack’s Rise Baking Lab, where they embraced a hands-on approach to language and cultural education. By learning to bake Pan de Muerto, students practiced Spanish in a practical setting, connected with tradition, and gained insight into the cultural significance of the holiday.

The baking class, hosted at Rise Baking Lab, created a welcoming environment where students learned the step-by-step process of making this unique bread. From kneading the dough to forming the traditional shapes, every step offered an opportunity to build connections between language, culture, and community. As students worked with the ingredients, they practiced Spanish in a practical context, using language relevant to baking, tradition, and storytelling.

This experiential learning activity exemplifies the Spanish Program’s commitment to bringing culture to life for our students, encouraging them to see language as a bridge to understanding and celebrating the diverse traditions of the Hispanic world. Through the aromas and flavours of Pan de Muerto, students left Rise Baking Lab with more than just a new recipe; they gained a deeper appreciation for Día de Muertos and the cultural narratives that continue to shape the Spanish-speaking world.

The Ofrenda and the baking experience gave students a meaningful opportunity to honour Día de Muertos, deepening their understanding of the rich traditions integral to the Spanish-speaking world. The event not only enriched students’ language skills but also fostered a shared sense of community, allowing participants to connect through tradition, language, and shared experiences.