week of 3/20/02
 
 
 

Folkmoot begins work on permanent home
SMN
Folkmoot USA is one of Western North Carolina’s most unique and worthwhile cultural events, one that is even more important in the post 9/11 world in which we all live. Right now, the international folk dance organization is reaching out to the community, which makes it a good time to think about what this festival means to the region.

Folkmoot is in the midst of building its first permanent home. Each summer for the past 18 years, the 300 or so dancers, musicians and officials from all over the world have been housed at a couple of different school sites in Haywood County. Each year volunteers set up the dormitory, service it for a couple of weeks, and then tear it down again.

The graciousness of the school system has played a large role in Folkmoot’s success. But now summer curriculum demands will make it impossible to use the middle and high schools to house dancers. So the folk festival has worked a deal to use the old Hazelwood Elementary School, which has sat empty for two years. Plans are to move the Folkmoot office from Haywood Square to the school, renovate the cafeteria, install showers, paint and polish up the entire building, bring in bunks, and turn it into The Folkmoot Friendship Center.

Once finished, the center will be available for use by the community in a number of ways. It can serve as an emergency shelter since it will have dorm rooms and a working cafeteria with showers and bathrooms. It can serve community groups for dinners and other events. Educational and sports camps will be able to use its beds to house students for multi-day events. The Folkmoot Friendship Center will serve the community throughout the year.

The permanent headquarters will also allow Folkmoot to have a more prominent year-round presence. Hopes are that eventually a museum will be established, and visiting dance troupes will now have a place to stay when the opportunity comes for them to travel to WNC at times other than during the annual summer festival. These exchanges provide school children and others (nursing homes, church groups, etc.) a rare chance to meet and interact with people from all over the world.

That cultural exchange is really what makes Folkmoot so special. Sure, the festival brings in around $4 million to the local economy and generates sales taxes, hotel room stays, restaurant business and many other financial benefits. But in a time when many are worried about travel abroad and are dealing with a mistrust of some foreigners, Folkmoot is a testament to the friendship and understanding that interacting with people from different cultures encourages. Volunteers, spectators and the dancers from lasting friendships that destroy stereotypes and foster a better understanding of the world around us. That’s an important benefit in this rural area where exposure to international culture is limited.

Over the next several months, there will be opportunities for local governments, foundations, civic and church groups and individuals to help Folkmoot as it raises money and seeks volunteer help to transform the school into The Folkmoot Friendship Center. This week, Haywood County leaders were given a tour of the facility and updated on its progress. Hopes are to have a community day sometime this summer to invite the public to the facility.

Folkmoot USA is a success because of the hard work of volunteers and staff, because of support from locals and visitors, and because its dedication to folk heritage is shared by so many in Western North Carolina. As Folkmoot begins building its first permanent home, it’s a good time to remember how important this festival is to the cultural landscape of this region.