Folklore is the traditional art, literature, knowledge, and practice that is passed on primarily through oral communication. Every group with its own sense of identity shares folk traditions and customs. These traditions determine how members of a culture see the world around them. They also dictate what people make, say, and do in their daily lives.
Folklore is a deeply significant aspect of culture. Though folklore connects people to their past, it is a central part of life in the present, and is at the heart of all cultures–including our own. Folklore is certainly not “dying out:” we are carrying it on to this day.
It is for this reason that the youth is particularly important to the diffusion of folk traditions. Without transmission between generations, these traditions would simply die out. Therefore, it is our duty to carry our culture on into the future.
Eric Hendey is the founder of the Fresno Youth Folklore Society. His connections to the folk world are numerous, especially in the area of traditional music. Eric can commonly be found playing his banjo at the Public House on Tuesday nights. After meeting Fresno legend Kenny Hall, he has also broadened his horizons to include Old-Time music (he plays Classical and Jazz as well, on guitar and bass). Eric is devoted to the diffusion of our homegrown, Fresno arts and culture, and he works hard to promote it. Eric is a senior at University High School. 
