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  Mery Musinyan and Kristine Yengoyan from the Nur Qanon Ensemble joined Bogdan Hovhanissyan in the “Sculpt a Funny Face” clay workshop.
  Photo by Sonya Pencheva, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
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  Dancers from the Hrayrk and Menq ensembles got audience members on their feet in the morning Armenian dance workshop.
  Photo by Kathryn Mitchell, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
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  Over in Catalonia, the traditional dancing continued with Esbart Ciutat Comtal from Barcelona.
  Photo by Sonya Pencheva, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
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  In the Creative Enterprises area, vegetable fiber artist Joan Farré i Oliver is collaborating with blacksmith Enric Pla Montferrer on a Folklife Festival exclusive design: the Gateway to Culture.
  Photo by Caroline Angelo, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
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  Tatev Hayrapetyan demonstrated weaving in the Carpet tent, representing the Goris Women’s Development Resource Center in Armenia.
  Photo by Aaron Crabtree, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
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  Participants and visitors added crocheted designs to the Armenian Tree of Life—perhaps our first Folklife Festival yarn bombing!
  Photo by Kathryn Mitchell, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
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  In the “Beastly Creations” workshop, young visitors turned themselved into new imaginary figures.
  Photo by Stanley Turk, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
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  Chantha Nguon from Mekong Blue and Sarah Mutesi exhibited their wares in the Marketplace. Next week, new representatives of the International Folk Art Market will take their place.
  Photo by Aaron Crabtree, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
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  The Aguirre sisters—part of the International Folk Art Market contingent—sold colorful, whimsical figurines in the Marketplace.
  Photo by Robert Leopold, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
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  To end our first week of the Festival, the Catalan cercavila parade and visitors processed through the completed catifa (flower carpet) that was created over the weekend.
  Photo by Stanley Turk, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives

Click on the photo above to view full slideshow

Today’s temperatures were high, but so were our spirits. The Folklife Festival featured the usual favorites of wine tasting and dance workshops as well as a few special treats.

Crafts of African Fashion held a screening and discussion that featured film shorts like Dakar Express 2017and Boys of Sowetoto highlight the ways in which fashion and film overlap to characterize Africa as well as her diaspora. On the Plaça Major, the human tower team demonstrated the strength of teamwork. Although we had no evening concert, the day sang with Zulal, an a cappella Armenian American trio, and Les Anxovetes, a band from Girona, Catalonia.

The Festival will be taking a break for our participants to rest and explore D.C. on July 2 and 3. We will pick back up on Wednesday with Armenian American picnicking traditions and recipes. Enjoy a folk dance performance by Esbart Ciutat Comtal and explore the various roles fire plays in Catalan tradition, like celebratory fireworks and ceremonial bonfires.

Visitors of all ages can learn about Armenian carpet weaving traditions and even make their own to take home. Head to the Hyurasenyak for storytelling songs with Onnik Dinkjian and his son Ara Dinkjian, a world-renowned oud player. You can’t miss the largest parade of the Festival featuring beasts, big heads, giants, and devils from Catalan tradition. Stick around the National Mall to see the Fourth of July fireworks!

Rachel Barton is the media intern for the 2018 Smithsonian Folklife Festival.