Pilsen woman's massive Day of the Dead altar honors hundreds of neighbors
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A Day of the Dead altar in a Pilsen yard. Photo: Justin Kaufmann/Axios
A Pilsen woman is keeping the memories of hundreds of her neighbors alive with a Día de los Muertos altar that has become a citywide attraction.
Why it matters: Isabel Hernandez's annual Day of the Dead display is more than a colorful celebration of Mexican tradition. It's a tribute to the people who helped shape Pilsen, including residents whose lives were cut short by violence and accidents.
The latest: Hernandez has transformed her home into a massive ofrenda featuring more than 400 photographs of deceased community members, surrounded by marigolds, candles, skeletons and colorful decorations.
- The tradition began in 2020.
Zoom in: Hernandez tells Axios she spends the entire year collecting photographs of Pilsen residents who have died, often finding them through neighborhood Facebook groups or receiving submissions from families.
- She spends about three weeks assembling the elaborate display, which changes every year.
- This year's creation features what she describes as steps to heaven, with large panels of photographs towering over the altar leading up to two outstretched hands.
What they're saying: "The Day of the Dead is just a celebration of life, and it's remembering the lives of the people who were part of the community or our family members," Hernandez says.
- "It's just the same as we celebrate every year, like the 9/11 victims. They have a monument and they are remembered every year," she says. "They were part of the community. So that's why I try to honor them."
The intrigue: Despite the display's enormous size, Hernandez says the decorating isn't particularly difficult. The real challenge is finding someone to help lift and secure the massive plywood panels, especially against Chicago's wind.
The bottom line: For Hernandez, the ofrenda isn't just about remembering those who died. It's about making sure the people who helped build the neighborhood aren't forgotten.
If you go: The display is on 19th Street between Racine Avenue and Loomis Street. Hernandez welcomes visitors until 10pm nightly through Monday.