The annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival was a great way for people to learn about new cultures.
Valerie Emerson, 58, said she was devoted to the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, held annually on the National Mall.
Monica Firestone, 30, said, “I just think it’s a great way to learn different cultures.”
This year’s focus in the Basque region of northern
Spain and southern France. Past years the festival featured cultures including: Peruvian, Chinese, Scottish, Welsh and Bhutanese.
Around the National Mall on Wednesday during the opening ceremonies, people dressed in regional costume, dancers prepared on stages and local cuisine was readied.
Deb Ramsey-Moor, 32, believes the festival was a “wonderful” way to learn about cultures. She said that the festival “preserves culture.” Ramsey-Moor has visited the festival every year for the last 22 years and now works there.