
The University of New Mexico
NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Sari Krosinsky, 277-5813
Carolyn Gonzales, 277-5920
February 1, 2006
UNM Organizes Tricentennial Matanza to Honor Beloved NM Author Rudolfo Anaya
Love good food, great music and writing about New Mexico? Then get ready for the Albuquerque Tricentennial Matanza honoring beloved New Mexico author Rudolfo Anaya, to be held from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 26 at the New Mexico Wine Festival Grounds. The address is 237 Camino del Pueblo and the grounds are directly behind the University of New Mexico – Los Alamos in Bernalillo.
The Matanza, organized by UNM's creative writing program, will feature a traditional matanza menu, music and dancing, special guest tributes and a raffle. For more information on the entertainment, visit: http://www.unm.edu/~english/SpecialEvents/matanzaEntertainment.htm.
Proceeds from the Matanza will benefit the newly created Rudolfo Anaya Scholarship/Fellowship Fund. The Anaya Scholarship will provide support for an Hispanic student admitted to or enrolled in the master of fine arts in creative writing at the UNM.
The initial goal is to raise an endowment of at least $50,000, which would support a yearly scholarship of approximately $1,500. Anaya will award the first scholarship in his name at the Matanza.
Sharon Oard Warner, director of the creative writing program, said this scholarship “will continue the tradition of excellence in Chicana/o literature. We are extremely proud of our colleague and friend, Rudy Anaya.”
A UNM Professor Emeritus in English and alumnus, Anaya is widely regarded as the father of modern Chicana/o literature. His novel, “ Bless Me Ultima ,” is a modern classic, hailed by The Nation as “the most important and influential Chicano novel ever written.” In 2002, Anaya received the National Medal of Arts for his “exceptional contribution to contemporary American literature that has brought national recognition to the traditions of the Chicano people, and for his efforts to promote Hispanic writers.”
The Matanza is sponsored by the Town of Bernalillo, Bueno Foods, Sysco Foods, The National Hispanic Cultural Center, UNM, Bookworks, UNM – LA in Bernalillo and Greetings Etc.
This event is open to the public. Students from the English Honors Society, Sigma Tau Delta, will serve traditional New Mexican fare, with accommodations available for those with special dietary needs. All food is included in the price of admission. A cash bar will also be available.
Tickets cost $10 and are available at the NHCC Gift Shop, Bookworks, through the English Department or at the door. For more information or to make a tax-deductible contribution, contact Sharon Oard Warner at 277-5572 or swarner@unm.edu.
Rudolfo Anaya, Sharon Oard Warner and Department of English Chair David Richard Jones are available for interviews.
The University of New Mexico is the state's largest university, serving more than 32,000 students. UNM is home to the state's only schools of law, medicine, pharmacy and architecture and operates New Mexico's only academic health center. UNM is noted for comprehensive undergraduate programs and research that benefits the state and the nation.
www.unm.edu