Our first NEA sponsored BIG READ, November 7 – December 1, 2009 was a tremendous success.  We are hoping to continue this event in the years to come.

THE BIG READ – BLESS ME, ULTIMA

Big Read is a project of the National Endowment for the Arts, and was sponsored in Taos by SOMOS in collaboration with the Taos Public Library, spearheaded by Summer Wood.

The Big Read is a month-long party, and everybody’s invited. The idea is that all of us who live here in Taos County will read the same book at the same time and be inspired to talk about the issues it raises. The book chosen was BLESS ME, ULTIMA, by New Mexico author Rudolfo Anaya. Books were given away FREE at our kickoff event at the Library on Saturday, November 7, 2009.  Dozens of other events and activities throughout the month were held to encourage people to come out and share their thoughts and stories.

Who’s Ultima? She’s a curandera, an old woman with an owl familiar and an insight into the healing powers of the ancient ways, and she comes to live with the family of Antonio, a young boy growing up during the time of World War II. Antonio is slated to become a cowboy like his father … unless he becomes a priest to the farmers of his mother’s community – and, either way, he’s bound to disappoint somebody. He’s a boy in a quandary, and when Ultima comes to live with his family he learns that there are many different ways to look at a situation.

TAOS BIG READ EVENTS kicked off at the Taos Public Library on Saturday, November 7th from 12-2:30.  People came to pick up a free copy of BLESS ME ULTIMA, and learn more about the ensuing events.  There was food, fun, music, and lots of interesting information on the program.
During THE BIG READ. There was a storytime and book giveaway for kids 3-9 at the Children’s Library, a book-cover-design contest, a read-aloud event, and plenty more. Residents of the further reaches of the county found book discussion groups and other activities happening in libraries and other centers within their communities.