UNAM prepara mega ofrenda

La Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) se prepara para una celebración única con la Megaofrenda 2024, que este año fusiona el Día de Muertos y el cine mexicano bajo el título México Visto a Través de la Lente. Del 1 al 3 de noviembre, de 11:00 a 21:00 horas, la explanada del Universum se llenará de color y tradición para recibir a todos los interesados en participar en esta celebración cultural, gratuita y abierta al público.

Con más de 70 ofrendas creadas por diversas facultades, centros, institutos, la Escuela Nacional Preparatoria y el Colegio de Ciencias y Humanidades, este evento rinde homenaje a la filmografía mexicana. Coordinado por la Dirección General de Atención a la Comunidad Universitaria (DGACO) y con la colaboración de más de 2,500 personas, la Megaofrenda busca capturar el espíritu de una tradición que vincula a México con la muerte y el arte cinematográfico.

Actividades Destacadas

Proyecciones de cine: Clásicos como Macario (1960) en su versión restaurada, La Llorona (1933) y un cine-concierto de Nosferatu (1922) con música en vivo.
Espectáculos en vivo: Incluyen conciertos de MILK BAND y Fractal Guitar Trio, teatro, danza, y cuentacuentos, destacando la obra Tin Tan entre Fantasmas.
Talleres interactivos: Desde el taller Heridas de película, donde se exploran efectos especiales, hasta Tatuajes desde Tlate, enfocado en el arte prehispánico.
Ofrendas gigantes: Más de 70 altares decorarán el Universum, presentando una variedad de propuestas visuales y narrativas que homenajean a figuras icónicas del cine mexicano, fruto del esfuerzo de estudiantes y académicos de la Facultad de Artes y Diseño (FAD).

Además, habrá concursos de cortometraje, calaveritas y cartel ilustrado para que los estudiantes expresen su creatividad en esta emblemática festividad que comenzó en 1997.

Mexico Through the Lens: Megaofrenda UNAM 2024

The fusion of Mexican Cinema and the Day of the Dead at the Universum Esplanade

By Leonardo Guerrero
3-minute read

The Megaofrenda is back! This year, the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) presents a unique combination of the Day of the Dead and Mexican cinema.

From November 1 to 3, from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., the Universum Esplanade will be the ideal place to enjoy a unique, free cultural experience filled with activities that will let you see death and this traditional celebration from a new perspective.

This year, the Megaofrenda is titled Mexico Through the Lens, paying tribute to great works in Mexican film history.

Whether you’re a fan of cinema or just looking for an interesting and fun way to celebrate this tradition, this is the event for you! Over 70 ofrendas will be on display, created by UNAM faculties, centers, and institutes, the National Preparatory School, the College of Sciences and Humanities, and other affiliated schools.

This event, now in its 27th edition, is coordinated by the General Directorate for University Community Engagement (DGACO), with the involvement of more than 2,500 people, including students, academics, and university staff.

In the words of DGACO Director Joaquín Narro Lobo, the Megaofrenda is more than just a visual display; it is an expression of the collective effort of thousands who contribute to this tradition.

“We aim to highlight our film industry as an art form that reflects the symbiotic relationship Mexicans have with death. More than an event, it is an opportunity for connection and interaction between the university community and the general public,” says Narro Lobo.

THE ARTS COME TO LIFE

The festival program is packed with activities for all tastes and ages. Cinema lovers shouldn’t miss the screenings of classic films in the Jorge Flores Theater and open-air screenings.

Featured titles include iconic films like Macario (1960) in its restored version, La Llorona (1933), and a cinema-concert of Nosferatu (1922) with live music accompaniment!

But it’s not all about film. There will also be live music from bands like MILK BAND and Fractal Guitar Trio, as well as theater, dance, and storytelling. One of the festival highlights is the theater production Tin Tan Among Ghosts, a tribute to one of the most beloved figures in Mexican comedy.

For the curious, the interactive workshops are a must. Want to learn how to create special effects like those you see in movies? Then the Movie Wounds workshop is for you. Or if you’re interested in art, in Tattoos from Tlate you’ll learn about pre-Hispanic culture while exploring new forms of artistic expression.

And let’s not forget the main attraction of the event: the ofrendas. Over 70 large altars will decorate the Universum esplanade, each with its own unique visual and narrative proposal but all with a shared purpose: to pay homage to great figures in Mexican cinema. Nearly 500 students and faculty from the Faculty of Arts and Design (FAD) have been working for months on large-scale artistic installations that will leave you in awe.

There’s no excuse to miss it! Whether you want to enjoy the screenings, workshops, ofrendas, or just have a great time with friends and family, the Megaofrenda offers an excellent opportunity to experience a unique Day of the Dead celebration.

DID YOU KNOW?

The first Megaofrenda organized by UNAM was in 1997.
The festival will feature university contests for short videos, traditional “calaverita” poems, and illustrated posters, where students can showcase their creative talent.
According to Joaquín Narro Lobo, 90% of the 2,500 people involved in the project are students.