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Smithsonian Center for Folklife & Cultural Heritage

A man on a stage plays a guitar.

At the Global Concert of Colors, Detroit and Its Unifying Voice Take a Bow

A vibrant parade on the National Mall with participants in colorful costumes, carrying flags and banners, in front of the United States Capitol building. Text is overlaid on the image that reads: Culture Of, By, and For the People

Smithsonian Folklife Festival Goes National for the United States’ 250th Anniversary

feather-dancer-hilltop.jpg

The Dance of the Feather Is a Flight Between Tradition and Modernity

In a crystal dish, beside a plate of pancakes, butter formed in the shape of a lamb with a red ribbon around its neck, red flag sticking out from its back, and a black peppercorn for an eye.

Behold the Butter Lamb of God: A Polish Catholic Easter Tradition Beloved in Buffalo, New York

alt="An elder woman with dark skin and short white hair holds up a framed twelve-inch gold record, smiling. Behind her is a seated crowd under a festival tent."

A Century of Ella Jenkins: Tributes to the First Lady of Children’s Music

A man in white dress sits with a thoughtful expression on his face outdoors, green and red foliage out of focus behind him. Old color film photo.

A Man of Peace: Grand Master Kim’s Vision for Chicago and the World

A line of drummers wearing red vests and white shirts stand in the dessert on a clear, blue-skied day.

Journey to the International Oasis Festival in Tozeur, Tunisia by Quad, Carriage or Car

Four men stand together on a tented stage playing percussive instruments. They are dressed in brightly patterned clothes and are filmed by people holding cellphones.

Mouled, Music and Cultural Memory in a Tunisian Festival

Two women decorate a large array of cookies laid out on a table.

Celebrate National Cookie Day With This Scottish Treat

A clear bowl filled with Italian seafood pasta sits on a table with red and green placemats.

Fra Diavolo Is a Devilish Dish for an Italian American Christmas

Freshly backed, round, golden brown tortas sit to cool in their crinkled metal baking tins.

Torta—Filipino Christmas Cake, I Think

Three adults stand and two small children stand around a table with plated. The table is covered by a red table cloth and has a large candle in the center with food arranged around it.

Learn to Make Potatis Korv Sausage for Your Festive Swedish Smörgåsbord

A plate full of golden brown potato pancakes are placed on a dining table. Behind them are bowls of sour cream, apple sauce, salt, and a menorah with three candles lit.

Are You Team Apple Sauce or Sour Cream? A Smithsonian Staffer Shares Her Family's Latke Recipe

A young girl poses outside a building, wearing a dark coat, layers of skirts, and a kerchief over her hair, holding a broom in one hand and a kettle in the other. Black-and-white photo.

The Swedish Witch Trials Teach Us How to Confront Dark Heritage

Digital illustration of a large mothlike figure, flying above a forested area and a single car driving down a road at nights. Its eyes are glowing red.

West Virginia's Mothman Leads Cryptid Renaissance

A woman wearing traditional Armenian dress bends down to tend to an outdoor stove while preparing a meal.

Collaboration and Community: Working Together for the Future of Armenian Festivals

Visitors pick out crochet toys to purchase at the My Handmade Armenia Festival.

Reviving Tradition With the My Handmade Armenia Festival

Bright lights and large crowds were ever-present at the Weihnachtsmarkt in Dresden, Germany, 2014. (Photo by Pete Reiniger)

A Taste of the German Christmas Market at Home: Glühwein mit Schuss

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