Salvador Urista Alvarado is a retired elementary school teacher and current mathematics instructor at a technical college in Lagos de Moreno, Jalisco, Mexico. After 33 years in primary education, he transitioned to teaching math at the higher education level, where he continues to work in the mornings. His afternoons, however, are devoted to reading and writing—particularly the composition of corridos, a traditional Mexican song form that narrates lived history, social memory, and personal values.

Though his interest in songwriting began in his youth, Salvador did not seriously pursue composition until retirement gave him the time to research, reflect, and write. His corridos focus on lesser-known historical figures, especially those who played important roles in movements, such as the Mexican Revolution, Independence, and Reform eras. He is particularly drawn to what he calls heroes desconocidos (unknown heroes)—those whose stories have been eclipsed by better-known figures like Villa or Zapata.

One of Salvador’s most personal works is “Y No Poder Volver”, a corrido that is both a tribute and a reflection on unfulfilled desires, such as his father’s longing to return to visit places from his youth—a return that never came.

In addition to this tribute, Salvador works on several other corridos, including one based on Juan Rulfo’s story Diles que no me maten (Tell Them Not to Kill Me), and others about historical figures like General Rafael Buelna and Gilberto Bosques. He also recently composed a tribute to the legendary Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán, highlighting his deep admiration for traditional Mexican music and its lasting cultural impact.

For Salvador, the corrido is more than a musical form—it is a literary and moral act. He sees his compositions not as commercial products, but as vessels for honoring the courage, memory, and values of people whose lives deserve to be remembered. His work ensures that history continues to live through song, and that cultural identity remains a living, breathing force in everyday life.

Even across borders and generations, Salvador Urista’s work reminds audiences of the value of memory, cultural roots, and the stories that shape who we are.