Catrinas en Mi Ciudad | Barriletes Workshop

Mynor Ovidio Xicon Simon is leading a barriletes workshop at The Galleria on Saturday, October 10, from 2 PM to 5 PM. It's a hands-on session where adults and children make their own barrilete, a traditional Guatemalan kite.

There's a specific meaning behind these kites that goes beyond just flying them. In Guatemala, barriletes are seen as a sacred, colorful bridge of communication between the living and their deceased ancestors during the Day of the Dead. The belief is that the higher they fly, the closer the messages attached to them get to reaching loved ones in heaven, with the sky acting as a bridge to the spirit world. The vibrant colors and specific designs are said to help guide returning spirits back to their families.

The workshop is part of Catrinas en Mi Ciudad, an exhibit organized by Denver Arts & Venues that celebrates Mexican cultural imagery and Día de los Muertos traditions. Since it's a hands-on class, you'll be building your own kite from the ground up rather than just watching a demonstration.

It runs from 2 PM to 5 PM on Saturday, October 10, at The Galleria, 1335 Curtis Street in Denver.