Personal Altars
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Location:
Jacome Plaza, Downtown Public Library
1-11pm
Download Registration Packet (PDF 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 |
We’ve included a few examples to give you some ideas and inspiration in paying tribute to those who 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.
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.
Personal Altar Vigil ends: altars must be TAKEN DOWN BY midnight.
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, fill out the form on this page
or
Download the Registration Form
Registration Packet (PDF Document)
En Español (PDF)
Print it, and mail to:
ASP Personal Altars
P.O. Box 15
Tucson, AZ 85702
