UNAM San Antonio and iLaCatrina Present Día de los Muertos Runway and Frida Kahlo Ofrenda

iLaCatrina took center stage at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México San Antonio—recognized as the oldest Mexican university presence in the United States—for a landmark Día de los Muertos showcase on October 24, 2024. Our Catrina runway was a heartfelt cultural performance that walked ancestral narratives into a modern context, elevating the celebration into a moving living ceremony.

Founder and creative director Araminta Romero presented an insightful talk in the university auditorium on the history and significance of Día de los Muertos. Reflecting on the evening’s impact, Araminta shared:

“Our vision is to bring these traditions into the public heart—through attires, movement, and story—so that each Catrina speaks directly to our collective memory.”

Her presentation concluded with special recognition from Dean Paula de Gortari, honoring iLaCatrina’s contribution to cultural education.

UNAM San Antonio historian and esteemed author Miguel García Audelo—who has written numerous scholarly works and directs the Texas History Seminar—praised the cultural accuracy and historical gravitas of our presentation. He commented,

“I have never seen Catrinas executed with such precision in their historical and symbolic authenticity. iLaCatrina has set a new standard in bringing cultural memory vividly into the present.”

By commissioning a moving Catrina runway, hosting educational dialogue, and offering curated installations, iLaCatrina reaffirmed its role as a creative and cultural catalyst. Our work with UNAM San Antonio continues to weave heritage into shared public experience—animating memory, elevating tradition, and strengthening community connection.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ILC | I, La Catrina (@ilacatrina)