Bringing together more than 23,000 performers, artists, musicians, and storytellers over the years, The Smithsonian Folklife Festival is set to celebrate its 45th year.
Designed to be an expression of cultural heritage, the festival attracts more than one million visitors to partake in heritage and community-based traditions. The free two-week festival will take place on the National Mall, June 27 to July 1 and July 4-8, 2012.
Comprised of daily programs, visitors will be sure to experience traditions and customs through music, dance, storytelling, crafts, live demonstrations, and cooking. Smithsonian Institute says the festival is an exercise of cultural democracy.
The environment sets the stage for open dialog and learning. Official participants freely interact with visitors, thus giving them the opportunity to speak for themselves and give visitors the chance to explore multiple cultures liberally.
This year, visitors can expect to see performances by NEA National Heritage Fellows, concerts presented by National Museum of African American History and Culture (such as Bring Back The Funk featuring George Clinton, Ivan Neville and Dumpstaphunk, and Meshell Ndegeocello), the Roma musical traditions from Hungary and Central Europe, Cabaret and much more.
Please visit 2012 Smithsonian Folklife Festival for more information.
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