University Library News Release
Date: October 22, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Jeanette Smith, NMSU Library, (505) 646-7492, jcsmith@lib.nmsu.edu
Big Read to Present Programs on Folklore, Herbs and Witchcraft
The Big Read announces four forthcoming programs, two by New Mexico folklorist Nasario Garcia, a program by experts on herb lore and an historical program on witchcraft and religion in New Mexico.
All Big Read events, based on themes in Rudolfo Anaya's novel Bless Me, Ultima, are free and open to the public. The Big Read is sponsored by the New Mexico State University Library, the Thomas Branigan Memorial Library and community partners.
Garcia will present "Hispanic Fiestas of Yesteryear: From Food and Fun to Fisticuffs" at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 27, at the Thomas Branigan Memorial Library.
Garcia's second program, "Would You Like to Meet the Devil, the Bogeyman, or La Llorona?" will also take place on October 27 at 7:00 p.m. at the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum. In 1995 Garcia was president of the New Mexico Folklore Society. A professor emeritus of Spanish at New Mexico Highlands University, he retired from academia in 2001 and currently resides in Santa Fe.
"Healing Herbs and the Curandera Tradition" will be presented on Sunday, October 28, at 2:30 p.m. at the Fabian Garcia Science Center Landscape Garden at University Avenue ¼ mile west of S. Main St. It will be presented by NMSU professor Mary O'Connell and practicing curandera Cristina Villalpando.
Historian Rick Hendricks will present "Witchcraft and Religious Conflict in New Mexican History" on Thursday, Nov. 1 at noon at Zuhl Library, Library Associates Room. Hendricks will share his research on the themes of Catholic tradition and witchcraft. He was the president of the Historical Society of New Mexico and an editor of the Vargas Project. His latest book, The Witches of Abiquiu: The Governor, The Priest, The Genizaro Indians, and the Devil (2006) was co-authored with Malcolm Ebright.
For more information, visit http://lib.nmsu.edu/bigread/ or call the NMSU Library at (575) 646-6925 or (575) 646-5792
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