Deadline for Applications: 60 Days before Expedition- Ongoing Until Filled
The American Friends of Russian Folklore will offer four expeditions this year. Volunteers work in the field documenting a variety of materials from songs to holiday celebrations.
2018-19 Folklore Expeditions:
- Modernity and Traditional Belief — Romania
Travel to the borderlands of northern Romania and study how modernization, especially in belief systems, has changed rural lives. During the three-week stay, cultural anthropologists Professor James M. Nyce and Alexandra Cotofana ABD (IUB) will teach the basics of conducting fieldwork interviews (through a translator) in the villages of historic Suceava County. This will be their fifth visit to the region. Participants can arrange college credit (6-8 hours) through their home universities.
Expedition languages: English and Romanian. Local language: Romanian.
Approximate dates: July 19 – August 9, 2018 (3 weeks)
Location: Romania, Suceava County, Arbore Commune
Start/end point: Cluj, Romania
Team size: 5-10
*Projected fee: $2910 – $4136, depending on number of volunteers. Airfare not included.
- Siberia’s Immigrants
More than 100 years ago, the Siberian village of Cherchet was settled by Belarusian migrants leaving their crowded homeland for homesteads in Russia’s distant East. This summer a team will live among the descendants of those original settlers to investigate the role their Belarusian heritage plays in their lives. Do the villagers tell stories from their great-grandparents’ day? Are they in touch with their relatives in Belarus? What has happened to the Belarusian language, food, customs, songs, beliefs and handicrafts in the Siberian setting? More broadly, how do culture and migration influence each other? This expedition is one of a series looking for the answers.
Expedition languages: Russian and English Local languages: Russian, perhaps Belarusian
Dates: July 1 – 13 2018
Location: Irkutsk province, Taisher district, Cherchet village
Starting point: Moscow Ending point: Irkutsk, Siberia
*Projected expediton fee: $3300 Airfare not included.
Expedition leader: Dr. Yelena Minyonok
- Settlers of the South Altai
Here at the conjunction of Russia, China and Kazakhstan, one can find rugged mountains, remote valleys and the hardy folk who call it home. Many people here are descendants of the Russian religious minority known as Old Believers, who came here seeking refuge from persecution. Join Dr. Alevtina Tsvetkova as she documents the traditional songs, rituals and customs associated with life-cycle events (birth, marriage, death) and two important holidays -the Day of St. John the Baptist and the Day of Sts. Peter and Paul.
These traditions live mainly in the memories of the older generation, but Dr. Tsvetkova has found that they are enjoying a renaissance as young people get involved in re-enacting the old ways. What meaning do these rituals have now? What social forces are at work? How do traditions change in passing from one generation to the next? With your help in photographing, videoing and interviewing, Dr. Tsvetkova will look for answers.
Expedition languages: English and Russian. Local language: Russian
Expedition dates: July 3-14
Start and end point: Barnaul, Russia
*Projected expedition fee: $1450-$2350, depending on number of volunteers. Airfare not included.
Expedition leader: Dr. Alevtina Tsvetkova
- Songs of Belarus
The village of Tyshkovichi is more than 500 years old — help us record the songs handed down over the generations.
Expedition languages: English and Russian. Local languages: Belarusian and Russian.
Approximate Dates: July 24 – August 4, 2018
Location: Belarus, Brest province, Ivanava district, Tyshkovichi village
Start/end point: Minsk, Belarus
*Projected fee: $2300 Airfare not included.
Expedition leader: Dr. Yelena Minyonok
- “Malanca” -An Old Calendar New Year Ritual in Moldova
Lots of time to get ready for this one! Malanca in Moldova — January 2019!
Assist Dr. Svetlana Sorokina and Dr. Yelena Minyonok as they interview villagers and document the masquerading, play-acting,singing, dancing processions that mark the start of a New Year in rural Moldova. The quirks of Old Calendar/New Calender timekeeping let you greet 2019 twice — on January 1st at home and on January 14th in Moldova!
Approximate Dates: January 4-16, 2019
Location: Republic of Moldova, Ocnita district, Clocusna village
*Projected fee: $2300
Students may apply for a scholarship to help cover expenses.