Notes from Museum of Folklore website

-"Folklore is a vibrant element of 'Britishness' and a living cultural heritage; these beliefs, customs and expressions link the past to the present and help us understand our specific communities and cultures, as well as our shared humanity. Far from being static or an ageing genre, it remains relevant by adapting to new circumstances, with the 'Folk' (people), and the 'lore' (stories) continually informing and influencing each other."

-" Folklore is reflected in everything from the names we bear from birth, to the names of our local pub. Folklore is the slang we use, the secret languages of groups, from school children to guilds and masonic groups. It is the shaping of everyday experiences in stories swapped around the kitchen table, or told on blog sites."

- "Folklore is community, life and values, artfully expressed in myriad forms and interactions. Universal, diverse and enduring, it enriches the country and makes us a commonwealth of cultures."

- "Folklore is not only important from a cultural heritage perspective, but also brings real and tangible benefits to communities, including social cohesion, economic regeneration and both intercultural and intergenerational understanding. In decades past, folkloric traditions have often been overlooked, as we instead imported and embraced popular culture from around the world. We are now witnessing a renaissance however, an upsurge of interest in folklore through music, art and dance, and a growing trend and desire for people to reconnect with their communities, heritage and their environment at large."


Inuit Wall Hanging