Intervenors

For each Celtic region in the Intervenors readings, make a list of the important organizations (or movements or events) and individuals (along with a brief description such as "collector"). Include dates of establishment or lifetimes. [10 points]
Answer each of the following questions, giving examples from the readings. (Your lists should help you with these questions.) Don't feel that you need to exhaustively cover every example that relates to your points, however. You may choose examples that particularly interest you. A substantial paragraph or two for each question is sufficient (more is okay).

1. What similarities do you notice between organizations for the preservation/revival of traditional music and dance in the various Celtic regions? [5 points]
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. [5 points]
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!) [5 points] 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. Full citations are not necessary for this assignment, unless you use a source outside of the supplied readings. When quoting from or referring to an idea in the supplied readings, do include the name of the author (e.g. "According to Francis Collinson…" or "Anthony Wallace defines…" or "Richard Handler and Jocelyn Linnekin believe that…").

Sample Solution