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Monday, April 24, 2006
Diverse Crowd Gathers for Tricentennial Fiesta
By Leann Holt
Journal Staff Writer
With a shout of Viva Alburquerque and handfuls of earth thrown into the air Sunday afternoon, Albuquerque was officially declared a villa of Spain— again.
The re-enactment of the founding of the city at Old Town Plaza was one of several events marking the last day of Albuquerque's weekend Tricentennial celebration.
It was a deeply spiritual day, according to many of the attendees, and one that emphasized the common heritage and hope that unite a diverse city.
Duke City Celebrates
[+] Click for photos from week Lucas Coshenet/JournalMayor Martin Chávez, right, portrays Capitan Martin Hurtado as he hands a land deed to Maria Celine Apodaca Baca Radigan at Old Town Plaza. Samuel Ulibarrí, center, is a 13th generation descendent of Capitan Juan de Ulibarrí, whom he portrays.
ABQ Tricentennial Special Section
Photos from this week's ABQjournal.com Journal Photos
"It felt emotional— it went to my heart," said Elizabeth Keefover, a descendant of the Barela family, who were among the city's original Spanish settlers.
"I loved the day and the unity of the people," said the 65-year-old. "I wish my mom and dad would have lived to see all of this."
A strong sense of community prevailed at the multi-cultural church service at the University of New Mexico Pit that kicked off Sunday's activities.
The broad platform set up in the middle of the floor held Native Americans in traditional dress, leaders from the Christian and Jewish faiths, Muslims with covered heads and Buddhist monks swathed in orange robes. Together, they prayed for peace and blessings for Albuquerque.
Music provided a unifying language for the service, from the blessings sung by the monks to the congregational singing of traditional American songs to African, Native American and Spanish hymns.
The New Mexico Symphony Orchestra Chorus performed two selections from the opera commissioned for the Tricentennial.
"It was very inspiring," said Sister Linda Chávez, who was in the crowd of about 300.
"I've been impressed with the communion of the community and watching them come together," she said.
On Old Town Plaza about noon, a group of families arrived on horses, mules and buggies in a re-enactment of the arrival of Spanish settlers. The families had left from Bernalillo on Saturday, spending the night along the way to Albuquerque.
A costumed Mayor Martin Chávez joined the "settlers" in the plaza's gazebo, where he played the part of the city's first mayor, Capitan Martin Hurtado.
After the play, Chávez said he didn't plan to give up his day job for acting. He also said he was pleased with the weekend's festivities.
"It has celebrated every part of Albuquerque," Chávez said, the feather in his hat bobbing. "It means so much to the people who have attended."
Bonifacio Garcia said that Sunday's events made his own history come to life. His mother's family— the Sanchezes— were the first to settle in Atrisco, and his father's family were some of the first in Belen and Albuquerque, he said.
"This is a lot of fun," said the 78-year-old as he sat on a bench on the plaza taking in the horses and costumes. "I think it's been well-done."
Most of the hundreds of people gathered in Old Town Plaza for the re-enactment stayed for the open-air Mass celebrated by Archbishop Michael Sheehan.
With Albuquerque's San Felipe de Neri Church rising beside them, the crowd spoke with one voice during the responsive portions of the Mass. Many held hands as they recited the Lord's Prayer.
Vi Ortíz and two friends stood reverently on the sidewalk as the smell of incense wafted down North Plaza Street.
"This is beautiful— it's very spiritual," said the Santa Fe native. "It's very quiet, even on the surrounding streets."
In his homily, Sheehan said the faith that sustained the early settlers would continue to help Albuquerque live in peace and build strong families.
"The spiritual values the settlers brought must help us in the days and years to come," he said.
Esperanza and Tony Salgado waited in one of four lines for communion at the end of Mass— lines that were seven people across and snaked into the streets.
"It's a wonderful, emotional feeling," Esperanza Salgado said of the church service. "This is a link to the community and a link to our ancestors."
After Mass, the plaza took on a party atmosphere as a mariachi band took the gazebo stage. Another celebration was going on simultaneously a short distance away at Tiguex Park, complete with face painting, ice cream and Spanish dancing.
The festivities wrapped up Sunday evening with the lighting of a 45-foot-tall birthday candle in the park.
"This feels like a community coming together," Esperanza Salgado said. "It gives me chills just to talk about it."
