A folk festival celebrates popular music, dance, storytelling, arts and crafts, and food. It includes traditional and contemporary folk music, blues, Cajun, and roots music. Folk art is decorative and utilitarian, and folk festivals are held globally to express cultural identity and unity.
A folk festival is a cultural and entertainment event that celebrates popular music and may take place in a regional, national or international context. In addition to music, folk festivals might also include dancing, storytelling, arts and crafts displays, workshops, and food. The term “folk music” was coined in the 19th century and was used to describe songs of anonymous origins that were passed down from generation to generation, usually by members of the lower classes.
A contemporary folk festival is generally all-inclusive and often serves as a venue for a variety of musical genres. These include traditional and contemporary folk music, blues, Cajun, and a genre known as roots music or world music. It’s not uncommon to find folk musicians sharing the stage with classical, jazz and rock artists.
Traditional folk music differs from other types of popular music in that lyrics and melodies have traditionally been transmitted by word of mouth rather than across the printed page. This is music that was “invented” rather than composed, and typically reflects the distinctive linguistic patterns and musical preferences of a group of Indigenous people. During the 1960s, the terms “contemporary popular music” or “revival popular music” were used to identify musicians whose narrative, vocal and instrumental styles represented the evolution of a common musical heritage.
The types of works showcased at a folk festival typically include quilts, pottery, jewelry, wood carving, basketry, and handcrafted clothing. Unlike professionally trained fine artists, folk artists are often self-taught or learned their craft through an apprenticeship. In contrast to the fine arts, folk art is decorative and utilitarian and serves as an expression of an area’s cultural identity.
A folk festival provides an opportunity for attendees and attendees to express their differences and celebrate their unity. National folk festivals are held every year in many countries, and dozens of regional festivals are held every year. These festivals are most common in the United States, Canada, Europe and Australia.
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