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Ten years ago the city of Cochabamba, Bolivia was engaged in a political war, called the Cochabamba Water Wars, with the Bolivean government over the privatization of the water systems.  

These wars were a series of protests and demonstrations over the World Bank influenced private contract of the city's water systems which included village community systems and even legislated rainwater control.

What started as a rural movement grew into a country-wide organizing effort to over turn the government contract. 2010 is the ten year anniversary of the successful win for the right of water in the city of Cochabamba.

This ten year anniversary was a muted celebration over the win for the water systems in the city. Despite having control over the ways water is gathered for specific village communities, there is still a monumental effort to gather clean drinking water.

Many of the villages have specific water councils that are organized to focus on the problem of acquiring clean drinking water. Each community has created a system that is working for their specific area yet the solutions are so delicately based upon environmental conditions that are drastically changing under the effect of climate change.

A seven day conference was held in Cochabamba to honor the successful win of the Water Wars but also as a reminder that the war has not been completely won in the need for clean drinking water.

The water conference was called Feria Internacional del Aqua, which included an outdoor fair for villages to showcase their water councils' efforts for their water systems. The fair included food, information about water related organizations and a showcase of panels/workshops which discussed topics such as water rights and organizing social movements.

The  water conference has been a stunning complimentary experience to the beginning of the World People's Conference on Climate Change and the Rights of Mother Earth. Many people arrived into Cochabamba early for WPCCC and were able to attend the water conference as well.

The history of Cochabamba is rich in organizing social movements and the reclaiming of basic human rights. If the success of the water conference has shown anything, it is that the WPCCC should be monumental event that carries the same energy that started in 2000.

Here are the photos from Feria Internacional del Aqua: 

This hand painted flag was made in honor of the ten year anniversary of the Cochabmaba Water Wars.

These two signs, ironically covering a large Coco-Cola sign, welcomed conference attendees into the fair area. They say 'Without water life, no life' and 'Ten years of fight'.

A Quecha women walks through the grounds of the fair with a young child.

A local community man helps to set up a tent for his display during the fair at the Water Conference.

A model version of the the town of Buena Vista shows signs for the headquarters of Social Buena Vista.

This model is a prototype for a habitat community. The circle of living space shows an enclosed area on the inside that contains green space and water area.  

This model of a river system shows the pathways of the smaller run-offs, into different directions in the mountains.

Samples of water were gathered to show the different filtration ways that were available by the community driven project called Capinota.

This traditional heirloom potato is grown in the villages of Cochabamba. Potatoes are a staple of the villages around the city and this type of agriculture needs a good watering system.

These walnuts are from the native tree of Castilla.  The collection of them preserves their plant history for generations to come. 

This particular model includes a mock-up of the river Vinto Mayu. This particular model shows how the river runs through the village and can be affected by climate change.

Many of tents were showcasing different ways for clean water systems. A gentleman from Emapas is giving a small workshop to a growing crowd of water fair attendees. 

The water conference was attended in high numbers by the Quecha indigenous people. Their community played a major role in the movement that eventually won the Cochabamba Water Wars. 

These school children were from the Primero de Mayo school. They had made small little craft signs to show what happens because of water contamination. They were also teaching about the benefits of washing your hands.

This young Quecha girl came to the fair to promote healthy hygiene habits through hand washing and how to conserve water. Her poster gave step by step instructions on how the benefits of washing your hands can add to your own health.

Bolivia is a plurinational state and has over 30 distinctly different Indigenous peoples living inside of it. The subtle variations in the people of Bolivia are beautiful.

This sign says "Exercising the right to water. Can you live without water?" This poster explains that water is a vital and necessary part to our survival and extends into our basic human rights.

These young artists were from the group Juventud Ecología en Acqu. Their entire tent was full of drawings from a full length graphic novel they drew about a world without water.

A large drawing from the full length comic book about a world without water.

The message of the Cochabamba Water Wars was as strong in 2010 as it was in 2000. Many of the posters and the drawings from the full length comic book conveyed the urgency of this message.

International filmmaker Rebecca Sommer was filming at the Water Conference and fair. Here she is interviewing a woman who is part of an autonomous project about sustainable and healthy water solutions in the valleys.

Many youth were present at the Water Conference and fair as well. The problem of clean water extends across generations so education is super beneficial.

Some of the attendees of the Water Conference and fair.

This Quecha woman's smile brightened the hot spring day. Many generations of the Quecha community were either presenting or learning at the Conference.

This little one looks sleepy after a long day playing in the sun.

Also scheduled at the a stage in the fair area was cultural arts programs for the family atmosphere. The theatre group the Masticadero gave a lively presentation for the youth in the crowd. 

Dressed as animals present in any natural habitat, this theatre group acted out a water war of their own that was located in nature.

The theatre group's makeup and costuming was impeccable. Bright lively colors allowed the audience to engage with a potentially somber story.

Generations young and old were present to honor the anniversary of the Cochabamba Water Wars.

Photographer Kris Krüg giving the thumbs up with a conference attendee.

This is the first of many photo essays from our travels to Bolivia.

Make sure to check back and for those of you wondering, here is why Static Photography is in Cochabamba, Bolivia.

If you are interested in being apart of the magic that is helping make this trip happen, there are a few ways.

We have created a ChipIn page for non-specified amounts of support. Any kind of support is super helpful!

We are having an auction for a signed print by Chris Jordan and you can find the information/bidding process here. Chris Jordan is an environmental hero, an international photographer and a good family friend. This is a rare opportunity to own a piece of art by Chris! 

More Information on Cochabamba Water Wars:

- Conferencia Mundial de los Pueblos sobre el Cambio Climatico y los Derechos de la Madre Tierra 

- World People's Conference on Climate Change and the Rights of Mother Earth website

- TckTckTck event listing for WPCCC 

- Remembering the Cochabamba Water Wars and the ongoing struggle - blog post

- A Climate Change Summit comes to Bolivia by the Democracy Center 

- Climate Justice Now information about Feria del Aqua