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DonatePublished on November 7, 2024
Out of the shadows and into public place, thousands gathered to explore death as a part of life
Toronto, ON – November 4, 2024– Evergreen hosted its second annual Good Mourning Festival on November 2 and 3, hosting over 8,000 visitors to explore and honor the significance of mourning in our communities. Held at Evergreen Brick Works, the event welcomed visitors to engage in meaningful activities designed to express, share, and understand grief as a universal human experience across cultures.
The first day of the festival, called Together in Grief, focused on the full spectrum of grief, from the losing loved ones, pets, and ecological grief. Attendees participated in storytelling with Living Hyphen, heard a powerful performance from RAW Taiko, planted tulip bulbs in the Memorial Garden, and participated in a variety of workshops. The art installation, Space for Grief, which will be at Evergreen Brick Works until November 11, offered a reflective area for contemplation.
“The Good Mourning Festival was a vital space for our community to come together and recognize the deep emotional connections we share through grief and celebration,” said Sonya Reynolds, Senior Manager of Public Programming at Evergreen. “By acknowledging our losses, both personal and ecological, we foster healing and understanding within our communities.”
Evergreen’s annual Day of the Dead celebration (Día de los Muertos) was held on the second day of the festival and celebrated Mexican and Latin American traditions honoring deceased relatives. The vibrant atmosphere included artmaking, face painting, a digital “Community Offrenda” from Latinx art collectives Creato, MAXEI, and Studio Chamelens; and lively performances by the Mexican Folk Ballet. Guests also enjoyed traditional Latin American foods and explored a market featuring Mexican and Latinx creators.
Janina de Guzman, Senior Program Officer at Evergreen reflected, “Día de los Muertos is not just about remembering those who have passed; it’s about celebrating their lives and the love that continues to bind us. We were thrilled to create a joyful atmosphere that honored those memories.”
The Good Mourning Festival was made possible by the generous support from the Mount Pleasant Group. Thank you to everyone who joined us for this weekend of reflection, creativity, and connection. For more information about Evergreen and future events, please visit our website.
Evergreen is a national non-profit transforming public spaces in our cities to build a healthier future for people and our planet. Evergreen Brick Works, our headquarters in the heart of Toronto’s ravine system, is a former industrial site that we converted into a green community hub where visitors can connect, explore and play year-round.
