Festival Sefardí 2026: A Tapestry of New Mexico Identity

Festival Sefardí is New Mexico’s only annual celebration of the unique history and culture of the Sefardic Jews in the Southwest. This May, we celebrate our 17th year and are excited about this year’s program!

The descendants of Jews who arrived in New Mexico in the late 16th century, fleeing the Spanish Inquisition, known today as the “Conversos,” “Anusim,” “crypto-Jews,” or “Hidden Jews”—constitute a significant but often overlooked portion of New Mexico’s Hispanic population.

During the weekend, an extraordinary group of artists and scholars will help illuminate this profound history, alongside its significance on New Mexico’s multicultural expression.

Research and public dialogue will be emphasized, including topics such as Coyotes y Genizaros: Caste, Under-Class, and Peonage in Contemporary Nuevo Mexico, and a discussion on Diaspora and Querencia with Camilla Bustamante and Rabbi Lynn Gottlieb.

The schedule includes ample time for reflection, conversation, movement, and creativity, encouraging participants to share and process their feelings and insights throughout the weekend. Anthony Fleg will facilitate a writing workshop called Writing to Heal, following an experimental somatic exploration on the themes of paradox and multiplicity with Evie Vigil & Blanca Stacy Villalobos of Song Dog Relations.