The English Folk Dance and Song Society websites use cookies.
You can read more about cookies and how we use them here.
Continued use of this site implies that you agree to our use of cookies.  
Step dancing feet

Conference: Diversity in Folk

Our 2021 conference concentrated on racial and ethnic diversity, both historically focused and in contemporary discourse.

The conference took place on Saturday 13 November 2021 and was a hybrid event, with speakers and delegates both online and in the building at Cecil Sharp House.

Its focus on racial diversity in folk combined historical discourse and the contemporary scene. 

Papers included:

  • The Black origins of sea shanties
  • How to Increase and Diversify Participation in English Folk Clubs?
  • International Relations: Nationalism and Internationalism in the English Folk Dance Revival
  • The Sorrow Songs: Folk Songs of Black British Experience
  • Racial crosscurrents in Appalachian folk song
  • Celebrating Diversity – Applications of Folklore to Shared Society Education within the Conflict Situation of the Middle East
  • Folk purism, the enemy of diversity