Credits: Eldereaglewatcher, Trip Advisor
Introduction
In 1994, the Mozote community built a memorial to honor the victims of the massacre. The El Mozote memorial has expanded over the years as people have added more symbolic elements. In 2001, people rebuilt the El Mozote church that had been burned down during the massacre. The Mozote community also held a reburial ceremony for the remains that had been exhumed during the forensic investigation. In June 2006, College students and local Mozote people worked together to paint a mural of the village on the reconstructed church. One half of the painting depicts the Mozote community in the past and the other half shows the possible future of the village. The last major components of the memorial were created on the 25th anniversary of the massacre (December 11th, 2006). Another art piece was painted on the church to honor the children who died in the massacre. Additionally, the Mozote people planted a reflection garden where many of the victims’ bodies were found. The common goal with all these elements is to remember this horrendous atrocity in the community’s past and to commemorate the people who died.
In 2004, the memorial site became a tourist attraction as a business office was built and people began working as tour guides. Currently, Trip Advisor is advertising a 13-hour long tour where people can explore the memorial site and the Museum of the Revolution guided by an expert on the Salvadoran civil war. Since the website is written in both English and Spanish, the tour is clearly targeted to both people living in Central America and people living in the United States. This tour and other tourist events connected to the memorial are beneficial to the Mozote people in two key ways. First, the community has the opportunity to educate people from around the world about the El Mozote massacre and the 12-year civil war. Additionally, the Mozote Community has been able to earn revenue through tourism. By turning the memorial site into a tourist attraction, the Mozote community has been able to economically benefit from the memory of the massacre.
Source Excerpt
“Help heal the bonds broken by El Salvador’s civil war in the 1980s during this 13-hour in-depth exploration of the people and places impacted by this bloody conflict. Pay homage to those that lost their lives in the war at the Mozote Memorial Site, and interact with conflict veterans who are working to help rebuild their community. You’ll also stop by the Museum of the Revolution, where you can hear testimonials from witnesses and learn about the conflict’s key moments.”
Link to website: https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductReview-g294476-d11456178-El_Salvador_The_Peace_Route_Tour-San_Salvador_San_Salvador_Department.html.
Inter Tours. “El Salvador: The Peace Route Tour: San Salvador.” Tripadvisor.