Darth Vader

On July 6, I visited Washington, D.C. to explore the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. The festival brought together artists, students, and skilled craftspeople from around the country to share their work and tell their stories. People were carving stone, weaving colorful threads, painting murals, or sharing parts of their culture through hands-on exhibits. It was a celebration of both tradition and innovation.

At the event, one of the most impressive areas showcased how artists are helping to restore the Washington National Cathedral from the 2011 earthquake damage. Skilled stone carvers worked carefully to repair damaged pieces and recreate new ones using the same tools and techniques that have been passed down for generations. At the Washington National Cathedral, one of the carved statues is Darth Vader, created after a 1985 children’s “Draw-a-Grotesque” contest. The figure is more than 200 feet off the ground and is part of a collection of about 1,500 grotesques. This is a fascinating example of how new culture elements are included in historical settings.

The festival also included booths that celebrated crafts from different parts of the world. I saw a weaver using a loom to create colorful fabrics in traditional patterns. There were leather ropes and beadwork from ranching traditions, gold-painted ornaments, and intricate hand-carved decorations. One beautiful painting in the exhibit showed a woman surrounded by corn, flowers, and peppers, representing food, nature, and heritage all in one image. Each artwork and object had its own story and history.

All around the festival, people were making things by hand and showing how their work connects to their families, cultures, and communities. The Folklife Festival helped me see how traditions survive when people take the time to share them. Through stone, fabric, paint, and words, the fair showed that creativity is one of the most powerful ways to keep culture alive.