1. What similarities do you notice between organizations for the preservation/revival of traditional music and dance in the various Celtic regions? OR you may compare cultural organizations in Celtic regions to another region with which you are familiar.
2. Give an example in which the process of selection/intervention by an “official” person or organization during a period of revival excluded elements of musical/dance culture that were valued by others. OR give an example in which the process of selection/intervention by an “official” person or organization imposed new standards on a tradition. In either case, include some information about the person/organization and the time period involved.
3. Answer either ONE of the questions below, depending on which one frames the issues best for you. (OR you may reframe the question yourself!)
Judging from your readings, do you think that invention introduces “inauthentic” elements to traditional culture? [Sometimes/usually/always/never? Under what conditions? What does “authentic” mean, anyway?] Discuss some examples.
Judging from the readings, do you think Eric Hobsbawn was right; should we try to differentiate between “invented tradition” and “genuine tradition”? [Or is all tradition invented?] Discuss some examples.
