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For centuries, New Mexico has been a mecca where many and varied cultures have lived side by side, sharing and celebrating their cultural differences. The result — a lush, refreshing texture of styles and designs on the joyful business of living. In recent history, that has included surviving a global pandemic. So who are we now?  What aspects of self do we take with us as we move forward and what do we leave behind? Whether you're cozy at home or venturing out into the world again, we're inviting you to visit us inside the museums and historic sites of New Mexico. This season, we're touring the museums of Santa Fe as host Charlotte Jusinski, our curators, artists, and exhibitors grapple with the question of identity.  Visit newmexicoculture.org for more info.

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  2. Keeping New Mexico's Spanish Alive: The National Hispanic Cultural Center's Legacy Project

Keeping New Mexico's Spanish Alive: The National Hispanic Cultural Center's Legacy Project

Jan 10, 2024

Traveling to some remote parts of Northern New Mexico can feel a little like traveling back in time. There’s the slower, rural lifestyle and lack of cell reception, for starters, but in some small pockets of rural communities, people still speak a 17th-century dialect of Spanish. 

Encounter Culture host Emily Withnall speaks with National Hispanic Cultural Center’s executive director, Zack Quintero, archivist Robin Moses, and Librarian Amy Padilla about their work to collect and preserve this ancient Spanish dialect before it disappears—which they say could happen in just fifteen years. Though the mountainous region of Northern New Mexico once helped to preserve this unique dialect, greater connectivity and the forces of assimilation have resulted in fewer native speakers. 

As Zack, Robin, and Amy reveal, they hope to preserve New Mexican Spanish as a part of their work with NHCC, but their investment in the project is personal, too.

To learn more about the Legacy Project, go to www.nhccnm.org. New information will be added to the website as the project progresses. Or visit the National Hispanic Cultural Center in person. The museum is open every day of the week, except Mondays. And if you’re interested in contributing to the project, please contact Zack Quintero at Zack.quintero@dca.nm.gov or Robin Moses at robin.moses@dca.nm.gov.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

New York Times article by Simon Romero

Esther Cordova May

Instituto Cervantes Albuquerque

New Mexico Highlands University

Northern New Mexico College

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Encounter Culture, a production of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, is produced and edited by Andrea Klunder at The Creative Impostor Studios.

Hosted by Emily Withnall, editor at El Palacio Magazine

Executive Producer: Daniel Zillmann

Technical Director & Post-Production Audio: Edwin R. Ruiz

Recording Engineer: Kabby at Kabby Sound Studios in Santa Fe

Editor & Production Manager: Alex Riegler

Theme Music: D’Santi Nava

Instagram: @newmexicanculture