Tourists join for the Smithsonian Folklife Festival at the National Mall

WASHINGTON– The annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival, which celebrates and exposes cultures around the world, kicked off on Wednesday at the National Mall in Washington D.C. with thousands gathered for countless activities, food and a unique cultural experience.

An opening ceremony introduced the free event with preview performances and special guest speakers. The performers engrossed the crowd with upbeat music and interactive elements to get everyone excited for the beginning of the nine-day festival.

Ken Mason, 67, has worked with the Smithsonian Folklife Festival for several years.

“Each year they pick a few themes and deeply concentrate on them. It’s like a mini immersion into the cultures because the people they bring in are real folks from those nations,” Mason said.

Come join thousands of tourists at the National Mall for a once in a life time cultural experience. Photo credits by Zoe Rader
Join thousands of tourists at the National Mall for a once in a life time cultural experience.
Photo credits by Zoe Rader

This year’s theme centers on resilience within communities around the world. The exhibits include a wide range of foods, music and interactive workshops that reflect the cultures presented.

On one side of the National Mall, the Basque exhibition embodied the innovative techniques and ways of life within this country that spans the borders of northern Spain and southwestern France. Across the lawn, however, the Sounds of California presentation highlighted the immigrants who have brought their diverse music and dance moves into the communities of several California regions.

“The Basque region is such a mystery and a learning experience. You can learn about the region, the people and the culture. The California section has different ethnic groups too,” Melvin Asterken, 79 and a volunteer for 17 years at the festival, said.

Colleen Barclay, 19, emphasized the opportunities that visitors have to dive into enriching cultures. She said tourists can work and dance together as well as “interact with the people up front.”

According to the Smithsonian Folklife Festival website, it is the largest annual cultural event in the U.S. capital and has been attracting people worldwide since 1967. Most tourists hope to learn and be inspired by the innovation in the cultures presented.

“What’s not to like? It’s enriching to see other cultures and learn from them,” said Hank Douglass, a 68-year-old volunteer photographer. “My wife is half Japanese and half Hawaiian and she loves it.”

Mason said that even after he stopped working for the festival he has come for at least 25 years.

Although the festival has only been running for three days, thousands of tourists have come and immersed themselves into these cultures.

Many of the volunteers expressed their love for the festival and a true passion to embrace cultures around the world with the various learning experiences.

“The true goal of the Smithsonian and the festival is to educate the public,” Asterken said.