European Folklore Institute
Regional Centre for the Safeguarding, Revitalization and Diffusion of Traditional Culture and Folklore Heritage in Europe

Founded in 1996 by Hungarian Ministry of Cultural Heritage and UNESCO

A. Objectives
B. Outputs
C. Activities

A. Objectives

The Institute focuses on the core areas of identification, documentation, conservation, preservation, dissemination and protection of European traditional, ethnic and minority cultures (including the fields of research, education, creative art and revitalisation).

The Institute aims:

1. to enhance international co-ordination, co-operation and exchange of knowledge in the above core areas;

2. to contribute to make known the institutions dealing with these areas;

3. to stimulate greater public and governmental recognition of traditional culture;

4. to improve credibility and professionalism in fields dealing with traditional culture;

5. to cultivate broad awareness and appreciation of traditional culture; and thereby

6. to improve life quality; by enhancing personal identity and self-respect; by fostering mutual respect among ethnic groups; by stimulating increased personal cultural creativity.

B. Outputs

1. Development of an information and research network of institutions dealing with traditional, ethnic and minority cultures, and folklore in Europe. Preparation and dissemination of materials about the ways and principles of networking for the sake of propagation of this form of international co-operation;

2. Processing of data-bases of European institutions, groups, individuals, research and educational revitalising programs dealing with national heritage. Arrangement of the data into internationally approved and unified systems of registers, catalogues, bibliographies, inventories, calendars;

3. Creation of internationally approved and standardised systems of identification, documentation, conservation, and dissemination, taking into consideration already existing local ones, by way of handbooks, research guides, manuals, questionnaires, repertories, bibliographies, etc.;

4. Organisation and co-organization of colloquia, symposia, consultations, and conferences for the sake of disclosure and conceptualisation of main problems in core areas of activities;

5. Preparation of a code of ethics ensuring a proper approach to and respect for traditional cultures. Strategies for the most appropriate ways of saving threatened documents and living phenomena of traditional culture.

6. Propagation of the most outstanding works and activities in the various fields in connection with folklore and traditional culture, past and present. Translation and republication of inaccessible important works in the core areas.

C. Activities

In order to achieve the objectives and outputs, the Institute will carry out various activities according to the following areas:

Research, documentation
1. Registry of research institutions, programs and experts dealing with traditional ethnic and minority cultures, establishment of information data-bases to support further research activities;
2. Development and enhancement of networks of research institutions, both through electronic and other means;
3. Co-ordination of education, further training and exchanges of researchers in traditional culture on an international level.

Conservation
1. Registry of archives including material of traditional culture and enhancing co-operation in this field, especially the co-ordination of data processing and the training of young archive specialists and researchers;
2. Preparing a list of collections of traditional culture in urgent need of attention and documentation of resources needed for adequate

Dissemination, revitalisation
1. Establishment of national registers of artists, experts, institutes and organisations working in this field as well as co-ordinating the compilation of calendars of events;
2. Assistance in co-ordination of the activities and programs of regional and local centres popularising traditional culture;
3. Comparison and evaluation of popularising methods and exchange of views and experience,
4. Assistance in co-ordination of the activities of different media for sake of more effective and professional information about folklore and traditional culture.

Protection
Summary of existing international and national ethical rules, principles and legislative rights (copyright) for creators, researchers, teachers and performers of traditional culture, and a development of guidelines for such rules where required.
Historical background and further arrangements

Initial discussion of the need for a European Centre arose during the Cultural Forum, held in Budapest in 1986 as part of the Helsinki Process.

The process toward actual establishment of the centre began with a signing a Memorandum in 1990 between UNESCO Director General, Federico Mayor and the Hungarian Minister of Culture and Education. Establishment was to take place under the UNESCO program the World Decade of Cultural Development.

In April 1993 the Hungarian Experts' Committee of the Centre was established by the Hungarian UNESCO Commission. It consisted of 25 experts and professionals representing all areas of scholarly endeavours in Hungary in order to prepare the establishment of the planned Centre. Organisation was made with the participation of Alan Hancock, Director of PROCEED.

In January of 1994 Hungarian Ministry of Culture and Education established a Project Development Office with two staff members in order to further the tasks of legal registration and the actual development of the Centre.

During the year, the Centre accumulated a significant data-base in connection with institutions, organisations and individuals all over Europe, and partly in Canada and USA, dealing with traditional culture and ethnic and minority institutions of Europe, and who might be potential members of a later co-operation network.

In March 1995, the Centre organised an international experts' consultation with thirty-one intentional, fifteen Hungarian experts, and two UNESCO delegates. The aim was to discuss the program outlined in the feasibility study. On this occasion an International Board was elected which plays a significant role in the major policy decisions of the Centre. In 1996, the Centre has begun its operations. The name of Centre has change to Institute in 1999.