Smithsonian - Perishable Pundit

COMMERCE FOR CULTUREFrom the Festival and Folkways to Smithsonian Global SoundRICHARD KURIN, DIRECTOR,SMITHSONIAN CENTER FOR FOLKLIFE AND CULTURAL HERITAGEOneof the amis of the Festival isto promote the continuity of diversegrassroots, community-based traditions of Americans and people ofother countries. To do this, the Festival relies upon several methods[9]that demonstrate the value ot such cultural traditions. First, theSmithsonian invites members ot regional, ethnic, and occupationalcommunities to illustrate their artistry, skill, and knowledge at the Festival on theNational Mall. The symbolicvalue ot the setting and theinvitation by the nationalmuseum help convey theprestige accorded to the traditionand its practitioners.Second, we place Festivalparticipants in the positions ofteachers, demonstrators, andexemplars of the tradition.Providing astage for participantsto address their fellowcountrymen or citizens ot theworld m a dignified way onthe salient issues bearing ontheir cultural survival not onlyhelps visitors learn directlyabout the culture but alsoengenders aprofound respectfor it. Additionally, the officials,crowds, and publicity attendingthe Festival signal that theCraftspeople and artisans sell their goods at the Haitian Marketat the 2004 Festival, bringing much-needed income back home.prestige and respect are widespreadand important. Finally,commerce too plays a role. It Festival visitors buy food, music, crafts, and booksitshows that they value the culture produced by participants and members ottheir communities. Commerce has always been part ot the Festivaland part otour larger strategy to encourage the continuity of diverse cultural traditions.SMITHSONIAN FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL