The Fire and The Word : 20 years of the Zapatistas
Films and Discussion
Monday 11th October 8.00pm
£3 (but no one turned away through lack of funds)
This year marks both the 10th anniversary of the 1994 armed indigenous uprising in Chiapas, SE Mexico and the 21st anniversary of the formation of the Zapatista Organisation (EZLN). Since the formation of the autonomous zones in 1994 the Zapatistas have created their own collective self-governing regions, healthcare, education, agricultural and production
infrastructure. Through this self-activity the Zapatistas have not only inspired other movements in Mexico and Latin America but also the struggle against neo-liberalism and globalisation throughout the world.
The event features a number of recent short films about the Zapatista
struggle as it stands in 2004, covering the latest developments in a region that has been displaced from the media radar since the waging of the so-called "War on Terror". The films, made by the Zapatistas themselves, include: The Sacred Land (2000): A film about a community outlining the reasons for the uprising in 1994 and their subsequent struggle for autonomy.
Voice of the Voiceless (2003): Radio Insurgente was the first of several Zapatista FM radio stations. This film contains interviews with the
production and technical teams outlining the objectives of the new station. The Struggle for Water (2003): Explains the importance and process of
development of water systems in Zapatista communities.
This event is being organised by KIPTIK a Bristol based solidarity group who work on water, health and media projects in the Zapatista autonomous zones. All profits go towards funding these projects.