In the Story Circle
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Since 1967, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival has celebrated the power of culture, creativity, and community on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Although this year’s plans were upended by the global pandemic, we remain committed to making space for sharing ideas, food, and music.
Through the summer and fall of 2020, we will continue with a series of online Story Circle conversations and performances, highlighting artisans and experts from the United Arab Emirates, Northeast Brazil, the Smithsonian Conservation Commons, and more. We’ll also add to the national conversation about racism, intersectional discrimination, and building an equitable, just society.
Featured Video
Upcoming Events
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Thursday, October 22, 12–12:45 p.m. ETStory Circle: A Question of Place – Race & Spoken Word in Washington, D.C. -
Thursday, October 29, 12–1:15 p.m. ETEncuentro en el Smithsonian: Eugenia León y La Marisoul
Archived Events
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September 17, 2020Encuentro en el Smithsonian: Rubén Rada y Pedrito Martinez -
September 13, 2020Backstage Adams Morgan: Live Music Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow -
September 10, 2020Story Circle: First Synagogue in the Americas
Current Research
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Northeast Brazil
Celebrate the creative spirit of Brazil’s northeast and explore how its communities shape and respond to the environments surrounding them.
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United Arab Emirates
From poetry to perfume, explore past and present traditions of the region as resources for connecting communities and envisioning a sustainable future.
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Earth Optimism
Meet scientists, anthropologists, and other specialists to learn about conservation in action at the Smithsonian and in our communities.
Festival Blog
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September 30, 2020Frevo: A Reflection on Dances of Resistance during Times of Protest
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September 25, 2020Salvadoran Recipes: Pupusas de Chicharrón and Curtido
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August 31, 2020Opening Up the Creative Process: The pARTicipate Poems
Our Purpose
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The purpose of the Smithsonian Folklife Festival is to collaborate with cultural practitioners, communities, and heritage professionals to spark curiosity, catalyze intercultural exchange, and create participatory experiences that nurture human connection.
Through research, curation, live programs, and digital storytelling, the Festival communicates an unwavering commitment to representing diverse cultures as a positive force for cultural equity, inclusivity, and the common good.
