October 12, 2015 – Las Cruces, NM - On this edition of PUENTES, bridges to the community, Host-Emily Guerra meets with The Borderland Fridas Co-Founder Pamela Enriquez-Courts. Rather than having another “Day of the Dead” event this year, a small group of artists from Las Cruces, Anthony and El Paso, known as The Borderland Fridas, decided to create a new event and tradition with “La Llorona Festival.”
One of the oldest Hispanic folklore legends is “La Llorona” (the weeping woman) who drowned her children. The legend has many variations and forms, and every region has their own version. Many Hispanic children growing up in the Southwest heard their parents yell at them when they got near waterways, “get away from the acequia, river, etc., or La Llorona will take you away.” Enriquez-Courts explains that the unique folklore is significant to the region’s character and traditions.
La Llorona Festival will be held at the Branigan Cultural Center in Las Cruces on Saturday, October 17th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Everyone is invited to this free event to celebrate the folklore of La Llorona with storytellers, a doll workshop, Folk dances and more. Information available at the Branigan Cultural Center, (575)541-2154 or at The Borderland Fridas' website: www.theborderlandfridas.wix.com, and on Facebook - The Borderland Fridas.