To: Maestro Luis de Tavira.
From: Subcomandante Insurgente Moisés.
Compañero Tavira:
I send you our greetings on behalf of Zapatista children, elders, women, men, and non-binary people.
From one theater director to another, I send you a warm embrace. We are happy that your health has improved a little and that you are now able to attend this tribute organized by your closest family and friends.
Here we continue in the struggle, in our resistance and rebellion which, as you well know, also walks through the arts and sciences. A few weeks ago, the art and culture coordinators and theater artists wrote you a letter, and you responded. That warmed our hearts because we understand that you see us as we see you: as a compañero in the struggle for life.
As we well know, the storm is growing stronger and deadlier in every corner of the world, and it is the disadvantaged who suffer the most.
But, as you have rightly said on several occasions, the arts are also a way of fighting for life. And those of us who fight, resist, and rebel also learn and teach through the arts and sciences.
The struggle for life in these difficult and hard times is fought with the head, the heart, and the guts. And all three have to do with each person’s history. Those of us who are of what we call native, indigenous blood are different. We are different in our heads, hearts, and guts from those who have another language, another way, another history. But we are made equal in the sciences, the arts, and the struggles. And even more so now that the struggle is for life, because the capitalist system is determined to destroy all of humanity.
We find life on earth. Others in science. Others in the arts. Others in their history.
Perhaps some think that each person should look out for their own life, but the current situation leaves no room for individual struggle. All of us are in mortal danger. Distinct, different, each according to their geography, their calendar, their way, we become equal in recognizing the criminal and in the struggle to defeat him.
Our effort, as Zapatistas that we are, is so that the day after the death of the inhuman beast of the system, we do not do the same, and that other monsters are not born from our roots. Other pyramids, we say, we the Zapatista communities.
What we want is another world where we can be ourselves. Not all the same as copies, not all with the same way of being, but each one what they are and want to be, without oppressing those who are different, without trying to make them like us, but respecting those who are not like us. A world without exploitation, without repression, without theft, without contempt.
We salute you, maestro. Tell those close to you that geography and circumstance do not matter, nor do age or health. Tell them that we must resist, we must rebel, we must live.
A hug from your compañerxs, the Zapatista peoples.
Subcomandante Insurgente Moisés.
Mexico, February 2026.
Original text published at Enlace Zapatista on March 13th, 2026.
Translation by Schools for Chiapas.