Folk Culture at Free Disposal: Some Thoughts on its Protection and Use

A focused interest in folklore and other manifestations of folk culture have been observed in Europe since the end of the 18th century. In the Czech lands, the motif of an idyll began to merge with a motif of the Czech countryside. In this way, the Czech national revival, which grew from the process of the formation of a new nation, gained a strong symbolism. The society continued to draw from folk culture in the coming periods as well, especially in the areas of politics and education of the public. Folk culture in the Czech lands suffered an increased political pressure during the Nazi occupation, and then after [the Communist coup in] 1948: folk culture was misused as an example of a culture of the working class people, and as such it was supported by the state ideology. After the ideological pressure was over, folk culture has remained a frequent source for other aims, such as commercial, and not only in the Czech lands. Folk culture and its legacy are still there at free disposal, to be used by anybody. It depends only on the moral qualities of those who are taking it and moving it further on. An interest in folk culture can be a hot trend, an important part of the creation of identity (local, regional, national, and personal as well), the centre of social efforts, or just a marginal part of a society's life. In all cases we must understand that folk culture can never be personal or group property and it should never be used for personal benefits.