The annual Fiestas de Santa Fe since 1926 have begun with the burning of Zozobra (translation is worry or anxiety). This falls the weekend following Labor Day.
Zozobra is a 50 foot marionette boogeyman with the same basic look each year barring a hair color change and additional jewelry.
He represents to the community all the negative things that happened in the year and they want to forget. In fact I have been told many people drop off divorce papers or any flammable memory of negativity of that year to stuff the ZoZobra and become part of the inferno.
The crowds gather hours before and celebrates with food and friendship at Fort Marcy Park where Zozobra stands in all his ugly glory.
An impressive ceremony of Native American, Spanish and other costumed characters of Santa Fe history begin the ceremony at dusk with dancing and music beginning the act of Zozobra’s demise.
The burning takes place in front of thousands of excited spectators shouting “Burn Him” “Burn Him”.
He moans and groans and moves his huge arms and hands as if he is not affected by the flames. But in a few moments he is engulfed in flames and the crowd cheers like an angry mob that has finally got their villain.
A tremendous fireworks display follows and brings an end to the celebration.
Although the Fiestas celebration dates back to 1712, renowned Santa Fe artist Will Shuster added Zozobra in 1926. Kiwanis became officially involved in 1963. The Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe has exclusive copyright to the figure. Thus Kiwanis continues the Zozobra tradition, and as a major fund raiser has become a great way for Santa Feans to participate in community event.
It is an annual event families and friends in the community look forward to and a meaningful tradition to Santa Fe. What better way to get rid of the old and the negative and welcome the new and positive!
Eileen Richardson
