Upcoming Programs
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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.
Our Purpose
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Since 1967, the purpose of the Smithsonian Folklife Festival has been 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.
Featured Video
Past Programs
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2005 FestivalOman: Desert, Oasis, and SeaLiving at the crossroads between Asia, Africa, and the Mediterranean, Omanis have developed a complex culture that draws on the country’s Arab roots as well as its long-standing contacts with India, East Africa, and the Middle East.
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2004 FestivalWater Ways: Mid-Atlantic Maritime CommunitiesThe region that stretches from the Great South Bay of Long Island to Core Sound in North Carolina is home to a living cultural heritage based on many generations’ worth of maritime skills and knowledge.
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1986 FestivalCultural Conservation: Traditional Crafts in a Post-Industrial AgeIn a sense, crafts record the resonances between a craftsperson’s skill, the aesthetics of a particular tradition, use of the local environment, and negotiations with a changing market.
Support the Folklife Festival, Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, sustainability projects, educational outreach, and more.
