Author Description

Color Photography book on the Mayan People of Guatemala and their struggle for human rights. Photographs by Vince Heptig and introduction by Nobel Peace Prize Laureat Rigoberta Menchu Tum. Guatemala, shattered through 36 years of war and over 400 years of repression, may be on the verge of a rebirth as historic peace accords have recently been signed. Vince Heptig presents a photographic portrait of the Mayan people of Guatemala and their struggle for a better tomorrow. Over 100,000 Guatemalans, mostly Mayans, have been killed or disappeared in the struggle. Mr. Heptig's book includes more than 100 striking color images: Mayan ceremonies, massacre victims being exhumed, Mayans working on cotton and coffee plantations, protestors in the streets of the Capitol, Mayans celebrating traditional festivals, massacre victims crying for justice, Rigoberta Menchu fighting for indigenous rights, guerillla combatants in their jungle camps, and, finally, the joyous celebration on the signing of the peace accords. Mr. Heptig portrays the Mayans not as a people to be pitied but a strong and resiliant people who will carry Guatemala into the 21st Century. The book is bilingual Spanish/English.