I’m Nelson, a first-generation American dedicated to bringing an ancient, epic story to life.

No, not The Odyssey.

As the son of Central American parents, I grew up hearing my mom reference a book called the Popol Vuh, also known as Popol Wuj, the Book of the People, or the Book of the Woven Mat—a place where people gather to listen to the stories being told.

The Popol Vuh is a breathtaking tapestry of creation and culture, a sacred narrative that resonates through the ages. Anyone brave enough to open the book is instantly transported to a world where creators and heroes intertwine, where creation emerges from silence, and where the fate of humanity hangs in the balance. It serves as a spiritual guide, inviting us to grapple with the complexities of existence and the universal struggles that shape our lives.

Spanish colonizers sought to destroy the Popol Vuh as part of their inquisition to erase Maya culture and people, yet its stories endure against the odds, etched into the hearts of those who survived.

In seventh grade, my Spanish teacher from Spain mockingly read passages from this text, dismissing it as silly. It wasn’t until mid-year that she noticed my last name and asked if I, too, was “Spanish.” I could only respond, “Kind of?”

Like many U.S. immigrants, I navigate two worlds—my left foot in one, my right in another. I carry the genetic imprint of my ancestors, an odd yet persistent ache. Latino, mestizo, indio... while my blood and body feel deeply connected to my roots, my mind often feels distinctly American. Before knowing the Popol Vuh, I struggled to connect to a past felt so intensely in my body but so absent in my day-to-day life.

The Popol Vuh celebrates creativity and resilience, urging us to embrace our journeys. It invites us to remember our ancestors, giving them a second life through our stories and recognizing how much of them lives on within us. It is our culture. It is our strength. It is me.