Just returned from a lively and rewarding joint meeting in Miami, Florida. The American Folklore Society and the International Society for Folk Narrative Research joined together there last week for an amazing event, creating an energized mix of people from around the world. The common core of research interests was the surprising power and persistence of folk traditions and stories, everywhere one looks. My own particular fascination is with the uncanny ways in which such popular “artifacts” help us to identify important, underlying cultural themes. The picture is of me and a bright young scholar, Shreya Sangai, who came to Miami as part of a whole group of folklore students and faculty. They were all part of one large delegation that hailed from from Ambedkar University, Delhi. I also share with you my very first attempt at a “selfie.” This was an experiment in learning to use my most recent technological upgrade… a small android smart phone!
