Free Korean Festival and Día de los Muertos Observation Offer Performances and Activities
The Delaware Art Museum presents, for the eighth time, a fall Korean Festival, on Saturday, October 14, 2023, 11 a.m.—3 p.m., as well as the fourth annual Día de los Muertos: Walking Among the Ancestors event on Saturday, October 28, 2023, from 11 a.m.—4 p.m.
Both family-friendly outdoor events will feature music and cultural dances, and both cultures are known for placing an emphasis on honoring ancestors, particularly this time of year.
Community Engagement Specialist Iz Balleto says, “These events recognize the fact that our ancestors are with us. It’s important for us to reflect on those who came before and acknowledge their names and their spirits, and continue to celebrate them.”
Balleto adds, “We hear from a lot of guests at these cultural festivals that it’s an experience they’ve never had—seeing the culture come to life, and not just through a television screen. It’s especially amazing for those who take time to learn about others’ cultures.”
The Korean Festival invites guests to explore traditional and modern Korean culture with family-friendly activities and performances by Jinhee Oh’s Delaware Korean School, with TaeKwonDo gymnastics, chorus, and samulnori percussion; Selahart Institute and MIMIC K-pop Dance Group; Korean School of Southern New Jersey; Tiger Kicks and Master Choi demonstrating TaeKwonDo; KODAC, the university of Delaware K-pop club. Yegeun Song & Jung-young Park will host and Jonathan Park, Director of the Delaware Korean Association, will also be on site.
Día de los Muertos invites guests to experience a variety of activities, such as an Indigenous ceremony, labyrinth walk and contribute to ofrendas by bringing pictures of loved ones and food to leave at the altars. Jazmin Buke will host, and opening ceremonies will include Danza Azteca Anahuac, Seylin Abarca, Mr Capo 302, Ballet Folklorico Mexico Lindo, Esmeralda LaCor and Mariachi Arrieros. The very popular La Catrinamia, the skeletal embodiment of a well-to-do woman who has passed, makes her annual return to the Museum.
Korean food will be available for purchase at the Korean Festival, and Los Taquitos de Puebla will sell food at Día de los Muertos. Beverages will be available for sale, but alcohol will not be sold at these events.
The Festival coincides with the Korean holiday ChuSeok. In South Korea, it is the most celebrated traditional holiday, and often includes pilgrimages to the family’s hometown. It also celebrates the September harvest, with much of the attention placed on rice, a Korean staple.
Día de los Muertos is observed in Mexico and other countries in the days leading up to All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, and, therefore, is often conflated with Halloween traditions. However, the holiday combines the celebration of those who have passed with reverence for the act of mourning, and is neither scary nor prank-oriented.
Although these are both free events, each consistently reaches full capacity, therefore, registration is strongly encouraged. To register, or for more information on the event, visit our website. In the event of bad weather, the programs will be moved indoors.
The Korean Festival is presented in partnership with the Delaware Korean Association, Overseas Korean Service, the TD Charitable Foundation, and the Jessie Ball duPont Fund.
Día de los Muertos is presented in partnership with the Center for Interventional Pain & Spine, Nuestras Raices Delaware, Hoy en Delaware, the TD Charitable Foundation, the Jessie Ball duPont Fund, and Guerrilla Republik.
This organization is supported, in part, by a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. The Division promotes Delaware arts events on www.DelawareScene.com.
About the Delaware Art Museum
For over 100 years, the Museum has served as a primary arts and cultural institution in Delaware. It is alive with experiences, discoveries, and activities to connect people with art and with each other. Originally created in 1912 to honor the renowned illustrator and Wilmington-native, Howard Pyle, the Museum’s collection has grown to over 12,000 works of art in our building and sculpture garden. Also recognized for British Pre-Raphaelite art, the Museum is home to the most comprehensive Pre-Raphaelite collection on display outside of the United Kingdom, and a growing collection of significant contemporary art.
Under the leadership of our Board of Trustees, the Delaware Art Museum is implementing a comprehensive approach to community and civic engagement. This exciting new strategic direction requires that we increase our value and relevance to all audiences. Visit delart.org to for the latest exhibitions, programs, and performances or connect with us via social media.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Korean Festival
WHEN: Saturday, October 14, 2023, 11 a.m.—3 p.m.
WHERE: Delaware Art Museum, 2301 Kentmere Parkway, Wilmington, Del. 19806
COST: Free, Registration Strongly Recommended
INFO: delart.org
WHAT: Día de los Muertos: Walking Among the Ancestors
WHEN: Saturday, October 28, 2023, 11 a.m.—4 p.m.
WHERE: Delaware Art Museum, 2301 Kentmere Parkway, Wilmington, Del. 19806
COST: Free, Registration Strongly Recommended
INFO: delart.org