Little Lanterns: The History of Farolitos and Luminarias
Luminarias, or Farolitos, are synonymous with the holidays in New Mexico. Dr. Carmella Scorcia Pacheco, a postdoctoral fellow at The University of New Mexico shares the history of these little lanterns, and of one of UNM’s oldest traditions, Hanging of the Greens.
About Our Guest(s)
Dr. Carmella Scorcia Pacheco
Carmella Scorcia Pacheco is a post-doctoral fellow with Hispanic Southwest Studies program in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese. She was a 2021 Mellon-Fronteridades Graduate Fellow with the University of Arizona’s Confluence Center, and a 2023 American Association of University Women Pre-Doctoral Fellow.
As a graduate student in UNM’s Hispanic Southwest Studies Program, Dr. Scorcia Pacheco studied nuevomexicano oral traditions and delved deep into the poetics of brujería stories while learning about the tremendous artistic creations of heritage language speakers and learners. At the University of Arizona, Dr. Scorcia Pacheco critically studied the politics of archiving and the archive and worked as an assistant to one of the most comprehensive Spanish as a Heritage Language programs.
Hosted by UCAM's Cameron Goeldner
Cameron Goeldner is a senior public relations specialist on The University of New Mexico’s Communication and Marketing Team (UCAM). In addition to his work producing It’s (Probably) Not Rocket Science, he also produces stories, photos and videos for the UNM Newsroom.
Goeldner, who attended UNM, won multiple New Mexico Press Association Awards while at the Valencia County News-Bulletin before a stint designing newspapers, including the Denver Post, for MediaNews Group. As the newest member of the UCAM team, Goeldner is excited to help spread the word about the incredible research happening at The University of New Mexico.