SENATE MEMORIAL 36

54th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2019

INTRODUCED BY

Gerald Ortiz y Pino

A MEMORIAL

HONORING "LA MARCHA DE LOS NOVIOS" AND ITS SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO NEW MEXICO'S CULTURAL ENRICHMENT.

     WHEREAS, "La Marcha de los Novios" ("March of the Newlyweds") is derived from grand marches with historical roots reaching back to official functions in medieval Europe; and

     WHEREAS, colonists and merchants traveling up el camino real de tierra adentro brought the tradition of the grand march with them, and it developed into a distinctly New Mexico version; and

     WHEREAS, for generations, "La Marcha de los Novios" has been performed in New Mexico to the accompaniment of violin, guitar and sometimes mandolin; and

     WHEREAS, although "La Marcha de los Novios" is a wedding march, it has been and continues to be used throughout New Mexico as part of various community celebrations and important public events; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico's "La Marcha de los Novios" is a story-dance about cooperation, faith in the expression of the goodness of humanity and positive resolution for the future; and

     WHEREAS, "La Marcha de los Novios" is led by a couple that directs the participants through different movement patterns as the dance is taking place, and, therefore, people of all ages can do it without any specific training in the dance; and

     WHEREAS, a single performance of "La Marcha de los Novios" can be conducted by as few as four couples or by well over one hundred couples; and

     WHEREAS, today, "La Marcha de los Novios" is performed all over New Mexico to the accompaniment of contemporary bands and orchestras and is used to open various civic events; and

     WHEREAS, "La Marcha de los Novios" is simply fun to do;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the state be requested to honor "La Marcha de los Novios" and its significant contribution to New Mexico's cultural enrichment; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the governor.

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