Protecting the land, culture and sotol
Amigas, amigos y vecin@s,
The importance of the Marfa Agave Festival cannot be overstated, as it offers a window into the producers, traditions, and—above all—the immense cultural heritage behind traditional Mexican spirits.
Over the years, the festival has established itself as a space for gathering, learning, and recognition for the many people who are dedicated to the preservation of these cultures.
Because of this, the decision to grant a platform to Marfa Spirit Co. in this year’s programming is both baffling and concerning. Marfa Spirit Co. undermines everything our festival stands for through its partnership with a producer that has been investigated for illegal harvesting of Dasylirion (sotol plant).
From the perspective of many on both sides of the border, MSC has focused more on appropriating and commercializing Mexican culture than on respecting, protecting or strengthening it.
I worry that the presence of such actors will ultimately send a contradictory message about the values the festival has historically championed: the protection of the land, respect for producer communities, and the preservation of the traditions that inform these distillates.
For these reasons, I believe it is worth the effort to reflect carefully on the decision to showcase MSC, along with the message it sends to traditional producers and the communities that have placed their trust in us.
We cannot view with apathy the destruction of the habitats that produce these spirits. Either these territories and cultural heritages are defended and protected through the efforts of the Marfa Agave Festival—or the festival itself becomes complicit in extractivism and ecosystemic plunder.
I share this concern with you out of respect and with the genuine anxiety of someone who cherishes this festival and everything it stands for.
Sandro Canovas
Marfa
