Elizabeth Cotner, The Examiner
2007-06-23 07:00:00.0
Current rank: Not ranked

WASHINGTON -

For the first time in 30 years, the Smithsonian Institution's Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage will feature Virginia history and culture during its 41st annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival, the largest annual cultural event in D.C.

The 10-day exhibition, titled The Roots of Virginia Culture, will highlight Virginia's cultural heritage through performances, demonstrations and exhibits that highlight American Indian, West African and English cultures that existed in Jamestown during America's founding period. The festival also features two more programs - "Northern Ireland at Smithsonian" and "Mekong River: Connecting Cultures."

Smithsonian spokeswoman Becky Haberacker said she thinks the festival is attractive to visitors because it encourages dialogue between festival participants and attendants.

"It's the idea that people can come down and have a personal interaction with participants," she said. "It's one thing to read and see exhibits about something, but it's another to talk to the farmer, the craftsperson, or the musician."

Since the event highlights three distinct cultures, participants from Virginia; Kent County, England; and Senegal, West Africa, will teach visitors about their cultures' historical and current traditions. Visitors can listen to bluegrass, gospel, West African and English music performances, participate in craft and ship-making demonstrations, shop for historical wares or sample food to get a taste of the cultures.

Local citizens also can learn about their region. The city of Falls Church will feature its history in the exhibition's Family and Community section on July 1.

Jamestown 2007 is sponsoring the festival with the Smithsonian as a part of its 18-month celebration of the Jamestown settlement's 400th anniversary.

The festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. from June 27 to July 1 and July 4 to July 8 between Seventh and 14th streets on the National Mall. Admission is free.