Julia Olin Culture Quotations

The festival presents a broad diversity of traditions and it is very inclusive, in terms of traditions that evolved here over hundreds of years to very recent immigrant groups. It's an eye-opening experience. It's sort of like you have the chance to grasp the complexity and diversity and wonder of culture in America all in one event.

We present artists that are a part of something larger than themselves. They come representing a community or a heritage. And they see themselves that way. It's not about a bunch of people with big egos. It's about people who are passionate about being keepers of culture and keepers of tradition. And that gives them a special magic because when they're on stage there just aren't barriers between them and the audience. It's a sharing. It's their mission.