Since the Festival of American Folklife first began in 1967, more than 10,000 generous people have traveled to Washington to share with us their wisdom and talent. In explaining and demonstrating their skills as singers, dancers, musicians, cooks, artisans, storytellers, and workers, they have represented legions more in their home communities. Because of the time and knowledge they have shared with us, our lives have been enriched, while our cultural understanding of the aesthetic variety in this and other nations has been broadened. Meanwhile, the Smithsonian's archive of folklife research and programming experience grows incrementally each year. There is much still to be learned, and each participant's story adds to our understanding of the mosaic of folk culture.

Often our festival participants have told us of their struggle to maintain traditions in the face of overwhelming odds. Each year brings another person to inform us, "I am the last who knows how to do this the old way." For this reason we view conservation of culture as an issue equal in urgency to the conservation of our natural resources, for the pluralism we reflect at each year's Festival would be terrible to lose.