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PERSONAL ALTARS

Location:
Jacome Plaza, Downtown Public Library
Saturday, November 3rd, 2007
1-11pm

-Download Registration Packet (MS Word Document)
-Download the Packet en Español

Throughout time the living have created altars to preserve the memories of events and people that are important to us. Altars and shrines are one way to pay tribute to those that have passed. Typically, an altar is a sacred place where ceremonies take place. They occur in many cultures worldwide regardless of spiritual or non-spiritual beliefs. For example, Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Shinto, Taoism and Neopaganism are all known to create sacred spaces for those that have left their mark on our hearts.
The PERSONAL ALTAR VIGIL project is an opportunity to pay homage to deceased loved ones, friends, ancestors, beloved pets, devastated communities, war-torn countries, and others by creating a personal altar in the center of downtown Tucson, within the downtown public library plaza.

Global, personal, ethnic, spiritual, religious and multi-cultural themes are most welcome. The day of your personal altar creation will officially flow into the vigil after a beautiful PROCESSION OF THE LITTLE ANGELS and the spectacular LITTLE ANGELS FINALE. Children will parade through the library plaza dressed as angels, invoking the spirits and celebrating the lives of those who have passed. The Procession ends at the Little Angels Finale, a spectacle of music and performing arts ending with a giant set of angel wings set ablaze.

As the sun sets and candles are lit, the public will have an opportunity to view all the altars throughout the evening during this vigil.

VITAL PERSONAL ALTAR BUILDING
& 
VIGIL INFORMATION

Altars
Create your altar, utilizing up to a 4 x 4 foot space.  A small card table or empty boxes or crates turned upside down and covered with cloth make wonderful alter platforms.  Adorn your altar with personal mementos of your loved ones and objects that remind you of specific experiences, or attributes of them.  Many altars include such objects as the favorite food of the person that passed, objects that were precious to them, pictures of that person, incense, chimes, flowers, etc. Possible objects for your altar may include: 

Photographs

Flowers

Objects of Personal Significance

Art

Incense

Herbs

Sugar Skulls

Skeletons

Votive Candles

Food

Glasses of Drink

Fruit

Religious / Cultural Decorations

Toys
 
Click on image to view high-res image

Important: Please incorporate a narrative of 25 words or less, in your altar design to describe the one you are honoring, for public viewing. 

Candles are welcomed if placed in glass or metal containers that CATCH ALL WAX. Altars may not be staked into the ground. Electric outlets will NOT be available, however there is ambient lighting within the plaza.  

GET INVOLVED!

Please reserve your altar space by October 28.  This will give us enough time to plot out your space, and help us plan the best scenario for you.

Schedule
Saturday, November 3rd, 1pm - 11pm. 

Personal Altar Vigil ends: altars must be TAKEN DOWN BY 12am, Sunday, November 4th. 

After midnight, the altars, and any items left behind, will be removed and disposed of. 

Security will be "walking" the plaza throughout the night. However, please understand, MMOS cannot be responsible for precious items that may be lost or stolen during the vigil, or have not been removed by the altar owners. 

The PERSONAL ALTAR VIGIL is a wonderful and significant opportunity to show your love for the people who have passed. Please join us and other community members in honoring the dead by decorating and making sacred a small piece of ground in the land of the living!

Contact:
For more information and to reserve your altar space, email personalaltar@allsoulsprocession.org

We've included a few visual aides to help inspire you as you pay tribute to those that meant so much to you. They can be elaborate or just a simple note or picture with a candle. As the saying goes " it is the thought that counts" and when creating anything, the emotional connection is what is most important.