December 2023.
The Zapatista communities and the EZLN invite all persons, groups, collectives, associations, organizations and movements that have signed the so-called Declaration for Life, the originary peoples agreed upon in the National Indigenous Congress, the Sexta Mundial, non-governmental organizations that defend human rights and, especially, those whose destiny lies in artistic creation, to the celebration of the thirtieth anniversary of the beginning of the war against oblivion.
The celebration will take place on December 30 and 31, 2023 and January 1 and 2, 2024. Guests will be able to arrive from the 29th, but not before that day.
The registration of attendees will be at CIDECI in San Cristobal de Las Casas, Chiapas. Press, guests and the National Indigenous Congress will register there, or directly at the headquarters caracol.
The central celebration of the 30th anniversary will be at the Caracol “Resistance and Rebellion: A New Horizon”, inaugurated 3 years ago in the town of Dolores Hidalgo, founded on recuperated land. Weather is mild to hot during the day. Cool to cold at night and early morning.
Location: one hour from the head of the official municipality of Ocosingo, on the road to Monte Líbano. About 4-5 hours from San Cristobal de las Casas. In Ocosingo there are hotels of different prices. From San Cristóbal, we recommend the route through Chanal-Altamirano to the town of Ocosingo. Then take the road to Monte Líbano. Pass the federal barracks of Toniná and further on, always on the road to Monte Líbano, there will be signs at the different GALs along the road. From Ocosingo, in one hour and 20 minutes you will arrive at the Caracol of the celebration.
Dates: December 30 and 31, 2023. Cultural festival with the participation of Zapatista youth and children. There will be plays, songs, dances and poetry. Dancing in the afternoon and evening.
January 1, 2024. At 00:00: Zapatista keynote address. In the afternoon and evening there will be cultural participations of invited family members from all over the world. Those whose vocation is art and culture will be able to present their creations in front of the Zapatista communities and guests on January 1 and 2, 2024. Dance, Theater, Film, Music, Murals, etc., will be welcome.
January 2, 2024. Cultural participation of family members from all over the world. Dancing.
It is recommended to bring something to put between the floor and your battered anatomy at bedtime. Here, besides being dignified, the floor is hard.
There will be internet service by chips, so that you can let your relatives know that you have arrived safely. There will be non-specialized food stalls (no vegan or vegetarian food stalls). See you there.
People with special diets and medications are advised to bring what they need. Ambulance service and primary medical care will be available.
For the allocation of sleeping areas and dormitories, preference will be given to persons of sound judgment (what you call “senior citizens” or “golden age” or “elderly” or “people in the process of aging”), and minors.
Minors are advised that stoning, harassing or hunting the whales, unicorns, crocodiles, dragons, dogs, cats, cuckoos, hens, roosters, rabbits, cows, oxen (no aggravation), mules (no aggravation), horses, mares, sheep, bicycles and other fantastic animals they may encounter is prohibited. The 3 times T “Comando Palomitas” will be patrolling and watching that no living creature is assaulted in thought, word or deed. Instead, it is allowed to assault rocks, as long as it is with your head. There you have it.
We remind you that in the Zapatista territories the consumption, commerce, transport and sowing of drugs is prohibited. Likewise, the consumption of alcohol in any form is prohibited.
Also prohibited is the exhibition, distribution, propaganda and apology of any of the electoral political parties of any geography.
Sexist, religious, nationalist, racist, ideological, political and sports manifestations that promote mockery, harassment, bullying, aggression and violence against people because of their color, race, sexual orientation, religion, language, culture, social origin, size, nationality, ideology, etc. are also prohibited.
The celebration is of and for the Zapatista peoples. It demands respect for our customs and traditions, for our ways and times, and for our struggle.
From the mountains of the Mexican Southeast.Subcomandante Insurgente Moisés.
Mexico, December 2023.
Original text published on December 24th, 2023. https://enlacezapatista.ezln.org.mx/2023/12/24/invitacion-al-treinta-aniversario-del-inicio-de-la-guerra-contra-el-olvido/
English translation by Schools for Chiapas.
Zapatista militia men and women working to prepare the site for the 30th anniversary celebration. Zapatista bicycle workshop. The 3 times T “Comando Palomitas” reinforced with the colocha fluff on its canine wing. Images courtesy of Los Tercios Compas, copyleft December 2023. Music: Armad@s de Baile. Bossanónimos. Original y Copla ℗ 2014 Bossanónimos Released on: 2014-10-23