The Czech Republic: Tradition and Transformation

1995 Festival of American Folklife, The Czech Republic: Tradition and Transformation program (95-10962).

Photo by Richard Strauss. Courtesy of the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.

1995 Festival of American Folklife, The Czech Republic: Tradition and Transformation program (95-11035).

Courtesy of the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.

1995 Festival of American Folklife, The Czech Republic: Tradition and Transformation program (95-11120).

Courtesy of the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.

1995 Festival of American Folklife, The Czech Republic: Tradition and Transformation program (95-11164).

Photo by Richard Strauss. Courtesy of the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.

1995 Festival of American Folklife, The Czech Republic: Tradition and Transformation program (95-11270).

Photo by Jeff Tinsley. Courtesy of the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.

1995 Festival of American Folklife, The Czech Republic: Tradition and Transformation program (95-11438).

Photo by Jeff Tinsley. Courtesy of the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.

Cross-Cultural Negotiation: Building Stages of a Festival Program

Amy Horowitz

Before the stages are set at the Festival of American Folklife, there are prestage engagements which carry an element of performance in their own…
Culture and Art on the Road to Democracy

Kristina Zantovska

In the Czech Lands, freedom above all has meant spiritual freedom. It was therefore no coincidence that intellectuals and artists were always in the…
From Folklore to Hard Rock

Jiri Cerny

Folk music is the primary and most original source for contemporary popular music in the Czech Republic. Czech folk music is rich in melodies—…
Poppies, Pillows, and Polkas: Czech-American Folk Culture

James P. Leary

No one knows how many Americans can trace their ancestry to the Czech Lands. According to a recent study, about 2 million people in the United States…
The Czech Republic: In the Heart of Europe

Josef Jancar; Jaroslav Stika

The legend of Cech is an integral part of the folklore of the Czech Republic. It provides the Czech people with a sense of unity and continuity in…
Vernacular Architecture in the Czech Republic

Jiri Langer

Any mention of architecture in the Czech Republic may bring to mind the magnificent, centuries-old church towers of Prague. However, many other…

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Past Programs