Time Out: Weekend Reflections by Mayor Webber

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Time Out: Weekend Reflections

from Mayor Alan Webber

Santa Fe Welcomes the World

This week Santa Fe officially welcomed the world.

And the world came to Santa Fe with open arms.

It started on Tuesday at the Plaza with the Parade of Nations that opened the International Folk Art Market (IFAM). With music and dance, national dress and broad smiles, the nations of the world walked up to the bandstand and down on to the Plaza to warm applause.

All were welcomed, all were celebrated—but the crowning moment belonged to the artist from Ukraine. Holding a bouquet of blue and yellow flowers and the now-familiar blue and yellow flag of Ukraine, she spoke to the Santa Fe community gathered in support. She spoke of the Russian “mob”—not an army but a mob—that had viciously attacked her country. She spoke of the acts of support from people around the world to help Ukraine—including people from Santa Fe—and the acts of heroism of the people of Ukraine. Coming so far at such a difficult time in her home country made her presence in Santa Fe an act of courage, too.

The next night was the official opening night of the Folk Art Market and it was another celebration—old friends who have long been collectors of the art at the Market welcoming back old friends who have long made and sold the art. Governor Lujan Grisham gave a speech of welcome followed by beautiful Chilean folk dancing. The theme of the Market this year focuses on the many different ways to express a “sense of place.” At every booth each artist brought her or his sense of place. No one outdid Santa Fe’s sense of place, strength of culture, appreciation of beauty, and expression of community. The fact that there were 1,200 volunteers who selflessly helped put on the Market makes clear the sense of place that motivates Santa Fe.

Thursday night, at a reception at the Governor’s Mansion, Santa Fe played host to the Sister Cities International organization. Santa Fe has 10 sister cities in nations from Cuba and China to Mexico and Uzbekistan. We not only welcomed representatives from around the world, we also celebrated our own Carol Robertson Lopez, former Santa Fe Mayor Pro Tem and the retiring head of Sister Cities International. Beloved and appreciated for her hard work and devotion to the Sister Cities program, Carol is a living example of the way in which “citizen diplomacy” can create bonds of friendship and fellowship in cities and communities around the world.

And that is exactly what the world needs now, and what Santa Fe exemplifies. There is simply no city in the world—anywhere in the world—that could host the Folk Art Market and Sister Cities with the authenticity and character of Santa Fe. The Folk Art Market celebrates culture and the connections it creates. Santa Fe has been doing that for centuries—and still does it today. Sister Cities International embodies the principle of grassroots, people-to-people connections, stretching across all boundaries. Santa Fe has been doing that for centuries, as well—and still does it today.

This week was a reminder of how beloved our city is. It was an indicator of the role we play in the world—a role we often diminish or overlook.

When the world is looking for art and culture, peace and friendship, inclusiveness amid diversity, the world comes to Santa Fe.

We are on the world stage, Santa Fe, front and center. Please take a bow!

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