A Carleton University sign is decorated with flowers, skulls and photos of some of the 11 people killed at Vancouver's Lapu-Lapu festival in April. [Photo by Simon McKeown/the Charlatan]

An altar with decorative skulls and colourful floral arrangements accompanied a Carleton University sign for Dia De Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead celebration on Thursday.

The celebration is observed in Mexico and parts of Latin America to pay respect and celebrate the lives of those who have died.

This year, the altar commemorated some of the 11 people who were killed at Vancouver’s Lapu-Lapu festival in April.

Carleton’s festivities brought together speakers from the Mexican embassy, Carleton’s Filipino Students’ Association, the Carleton University Students’ Association, the Modern American School in Mexico City and the School of Linguistics and Language Studies.

A person speaks in front of a microphone with purple and orange signage surrounding him
Aidan Kallioinen, Carleton University Students’ Association vice-president of student issues speaks at Carleton’s Day of the Dead celebration. [Photo by Nathan Cox]
Tables spanned the atrium with baked goods, skull painting and resources for attendees to peruse from.

Though Day of the Dead festivities happen around Ottawa throughout the last week of October, the event is commonly celebrated Nov. 2.

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Featured image by Simon McKeown/the Charlatan.