National Hispanic Cultural Center to Premier Voices De Latinidad Celebrating Hispanic Culture

The National Hispanic Cultural Center (NHCC) is proud to present an original documentary film that explores “identidad” and what it means to be from New Mexico through a mix of voices and perspectives. The new film, Voces de Latinidad, premieres at the NHCC on Saturday, Nov. 9.

"New Mexico is home to a vast array of experiences and identities, which too often go unexamined or underappreciated,” said NHCC Artistic Director Noël Bella Merriam. “We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to showcase the diverse range of identities in our community. Moreover, we’re grateful to everyone who participated in the interview process, and for their honesty, wisdom and vulnerability in discussing identity and their personal journeys.”

Voces de Latinidad represents the culmination of a community storytelling project that the Center launched in 2023. Through the course of six community listening sessions and one-on-one interviews, the Voces de Latinidad Community Listening Project united members of the New Mexico community to explore the diversity and complexity of the many cultural aspects that shape Hispanic, Mestizo/a, Latino/a/e, Chicano/a, Indígena/o identity and lived experiences, with a focus on the historic neighborhoods of Atrisco, Barelas and the South Valley.

Voces de Latinidad features the poetry of renowned poet, Levi Romero, and is directed by Merriam and Alicia Lueras Maldonado. The film is co-produced by Lueras Maldonado and Antonio Marquez. A one-minute trailer for the documentary is available HERE.

“To be seen, to be listened to and to have your story shared is a gift and the right of every person,” Lueras Maldonado said. “It is such important work to find common ground, break bread and build mutual respect for one another. Voces de Latinidad has worked to create that space within our community.”

The premiere kicks off with refreshments and music starting at 6:00 p.m. The film screening begins at 6:30 p.m. and a panel discussion with the artistic team behind the film will begin at 7:00 p.m. Attendees may register for the free premiere event HERE.

This film was made possible in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Additional support was provided by the DEI United Fund of North Central New Mexico United Way and the Albuquerque Community Foundation.

More about the National Hispanic Cultural CenterThe National Hispanic Cultural Center is dedicated to the preservation, promotion, and advancement of Hispanic culture, arts, and humanities. The NHCC presents mission-related events throughout the year, some produced by its history, literary, performing, and visual arts programs, and others by partnering with external organizations. Events take place at its 20-plus-acre campus, which includes a plaza, an art museum, a historically designated building, a library, and a genealogy center. The NHCC is a division of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs and is further supported by the National Hispanic Cultural Center Foundation.

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