The book functions as both a festival guide and scholarly anthology. It documents the 1988 Smithsonian Folklife Festival, marking the centenary of the American Folklore Society. The Massachusetts section explores layered cultural narratives- Wampanoag, settler, African-American, and immigrant traditions-highlighting how traditions evolve in new contexts. The Metropolitan Washington segment assesses cultural maintenance and reinvention among immigrants and diasporas in urban America. The inclusion of music and performance from the Soviet Union presents a cross-cultural exchange, demonstrating the global perseverance of traditional arts. The essays provide both historical framing and analytical reflections on the roles folklorists play in cultural preservation and community empowerment