Argentina Celebrates Folklore Day on August 22
On August 22 each year, Argentina commemorates Folklore Day, a significant occasion that highlights the cultural traditions essential to collective identity. This date, recognized as World Folklore Day since it was established by UNESCO in 1960, simultaneously marks the birth of renowned ethnographer Juan Bautista Ambrosetti in 1865, reports 24brussels.
Folklore embodies the shared wisdom transmitted through generations, encompassing stories, songs, dances, crafts, and rituals integral to community memory. The term was first introduced in 1846 by English archaeologist William John Thoms, who combined “folk” (people) and “lore” (knowledge). In Argentina and much of Latin America, the spelling folklore is prevalent, while the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) endorses the adapted form folclore. Both spellings reflect regional variations within a shared linguistic tradition.
The celebration is especially noteworthy in Argentina as it honors Juan Bautista Ambrosetti, often recognized as the father of folklore studies in the country. Born in Gualeguay, Entre Ríos, Ambrosetti was a pioneer in the exploration of popular traditions and established the Ethnographic Museum at the University of Buenos Aires in 1904. His legacy continued through scholars like Augusto Raúl Cortázar, who organized the First International Folklore Congress in Buenos Aires in 1960. This gathering of delegates from thirty nations formalized August 22 as World Folklore Day and reinforced the importance of protecting popular traditions as vital expressions of cultural identity.
In Argentina, folklore is deeply entrenched in daily life, reflected in vibrant community festivals featuring traditional dances such as zamba, chacarera, and malambo. The music, characterized by instruments like the guitar, bombo legüero (drum), and charango, showcases melodies preserved through generations.
Furthermore, folklore thrives within oral traditions and spiritual beliefs. Figures such as Gauchito Gil and Difunta Correa connect diverse regions, while crafts ranging from woven ponchos to intricately carved mate gourds showcase ancient techniques and strengthen ties to ancestry. The asado (barbecue) exemplifies more than a meal; it serves as a communal ritual integral to Argentina’s cultural landscape.
Folklore is not a static repository of customs but a dynamic cultural force that evolves, continually reinvigorating its expression while bridging generations and solidifying identity.
Within the broader context of the Global South, where oral traditions and communal knowledge are crucial to cultural survival, Folklore Day resonates strongly. Celebrations such as Andean festivals in Bolivia and Peru, Afro-descendant rhythms along the Caribbean coast, and Indigenous ceremonies in Mexico reflect a rich tapestry of shared memory and renewed cultural expression.
Argentina’s folklore—its dances, myths, and crafts—forms part of this extensive cultural heritage. Folklore thrives beyond the confines of museums and literature; it lives through everyday practices that nurture community life and sustain the connection between past and present.
