World Folklore Day commemorates global cultural traditions

August 22 marks the World Folklore Day, a date rooted in the 1846 coining of the term ‘folklore’ by English archaeologist William John Thoms. The term combines ‘folk’ (people) and ‘lore’ (knowledge) to describe the traditional wisdom of a community.

In Argentina, the date is also celebrated as Argentine Folklore Day, honoring the 1960 First International Folklore Congress held in Buenos Aires and the legacy of Juan B. Ambrosetti, known as the ‘father of Argentine Folklore’.

Various nations observe the day through cultural initiatives. In Spain, the National Library (BNE) highlights regional traditions through digital archives and dance workshops. In Paraguay, the Elenco Paraguay Tekoete performed ‘El Canto de mi Selva’ at the Itaipú Binacional site to celebrate national identity through music and dance. In Peru, the Universidad Nacional de Folklore José María Arguedas promotes the preservation of ancestral music and dance through specialized academic programs.