Elizabeth Cotner, The Examiner
2007-06-28 07:00:00.0
Current rank: Not ranked

WASHINGTON -

The 41st annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival kicked off its 10-day celebration of Virginia, Northern Ireland and Mekong River cultures with a ceremony Wednesday on the National Mall.

Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine was one of several speakers who addressed festival visitors and participants. Kaine encouraged the audience to visit the festival’s “The Roots of Virginia Culture” exhibition and the Jamestown settlement to learn about U.S. heritage.

“It’s not just the story of Virginia; it’s the story of our nation,” Kaine said.

Ambassadors and representatives from Northern Ireland and five nations in the Mekong region — China, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia — shared their stories. A common theme in the accounts was the inspiration those cultures drew from American history as they sought to overcome turmoil in their countries.

Speakers said they valued the festival’s celebration of history and tradition.

“There are few things more powerful than a people, than a nation seeped in its history and culture,” said Lonnie Bunch, director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Music and dance performances — a Chinese drinking song, Thai dancing rituals, English folk music, Irish bagpipe tunes and bluegrass music — sprinkled the ceremony and gave the audience a preview of the festival’s events.

Festival attendees migrated to tents after the ceremony to participate in craft and cooking demonstrations, eat traditional food and listen to live music performances.

The festival is from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. through Sunday and July 4-8. It is between Seventh and 14th streets on the National Mall. Admission is free.