RenFaire celebrates its birthday with theme of ‘Bridging Cultures’

For the 50th year of the Renaissance ArtsFaire, the Doña Ana Arts Council (DAAC) is honoring local diversity and our region’s rich cultural heritage with a theme of “Bridging Cultures.” 

As historic authenticity is so important and even small mistakes can be considered profoundly disrespectful, the Arts Council has chosen to steer clear of representing precisely any historic figure from our area or any historic figure from Europe.

Instead, there is a man whose appearance alludes to Pre-Columbian Mesoamerica and a woman whose appearance alludes to the Italian Renaissance. The woman represents the tradition of the RenFaire across the last 50 years, but she also represents new connections, possibly a new Renaissance. The man represents an aspect of the RenFaire that has only occasionally honored traditions on this side of the Atlantic, traditions that the Arts Council wishes to be included more permanently and more prominently in future RenFaires.

We here in the Mesilla Valley live, work and play on land where a culture the Spanish referred to as “Manso” once lived. While we have no record now of what the Manso People called themselves, we know they were genuinely, historically of this place. Descendants of the Manso, as well as of the Piro and the Tiwa, live here even now, and some have long dedicated their efforts to the pursuit of important Federal recognition as a tribe. DAAC believes this is a part of our shared legacy that must be recognized and honored.

In and near our valley are pit-houses believed to have been temporarily occupied during hunts thousands of years ago by the people we now call “Mogollon.” There is, additionally, more recent history of the Chiricahua Apaches claiming lands to the west of the Rio Grande and the Mescalero Apaches claiming lands to the east of that ancient river running through our valley.

There are artifacts, traditions and stories predating the arrival of the Spanish; later, people from Mexico; and ultimately, people from the United States. Among the artifacts, more than a few speak to trade existing between Mesoamerica and what is now northern New Mexico, as well as points in between; others that speak to the arts and cultures of the peoples who were here on a more permanent basis.  Some of the traditions honor spiritual beliefs too sacred to be treated as entertainment or performance.  Some of the stories tell how families passed along a heritage that is foundational in our community.

“Renaissance” refers to “rebirth” and rediscovery of things previously known. There is much to rediscover about the Mesilla Valley, even as we embrace opportunities to grow from ongoing “rebirth.”  In “Bridging Cultures,” DAAC is laying the structural pieces in place for 2021’s 50th Renaissance ArtsFaire to be fun for the whole family as well as respectful of the rich tapestry of cultures woven throughout our past, which collectively inform and inspire our shared future.

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