In November we initiated an important consultation with our members.
This consultation will now remain open until 14 February.
We believe that the time is right to change the name of the English Folk Dance and Song Society.
We have a long and illustrious history of championing the folk arts at the heart of England’s rich and diverse cultural landscape. We passionately believe that everyone should experience England’s folk music and dance – its rich traditions and its present-day vibrance. But, far too often, our name creates unnecessary barriers to our important work.
People regularly tell us that the current name causes confusion and often suggests that the organisation is not for them:
- ‘The English Folk Dance and Song Society’ is cumbersome and is usually shortened to the acronym EFDSS — meaningless to the vast majority of the population, and even to many people who already enjoy folk music and dance.
- There is incontrovertible evidence that many people feel excluded by the word ‘English’.
- ‘Dance and Song’ neglects our significant activities on music.
- To many, ‘Society’ suggests an inward-looking and reactionary bureaucracy.
- In summary, the name is no longer appropriate for the organisation’s multi-faceted activities as the national champion of the folk music and dance of England.
It would be easy to keep the status quo. But our Aims and Objectives include an undertaking to ‘celebrate diversity and promote equality’. We must now consider a change of name if we are to fulfil our essential ambitions of widening the appeal of the folk music, dance, customs and traditions of England.
The Board consider Folk Arts England to be an appropriate name.
Why ‘England’? Well, the Society was formed as a merger in 1932 between the Folk-Song Society (note neither English nor England) and the English Folk Dance Society. Our activities usually take place within the geographical boundaries of England. Equivalent organisations are well-established in Scotland, Wales and Ireland.
Just as there is no consensus on what makes a person English, there are many competing definitions for how a dance or a song or a tune could be identified as English. But everyone in England understands that England is where we make our home – and that many dances, songs and tunes have roots in the cultural heritage of England.
We are already hearing many different views. We want to have mature discussions, putting preconceptions aside. I encourage you to respond to the consultation.
Lorna Aizlewood, Chair
See also
What’s in a name (1 September), including An update for members, 5 October and Further Information, 13 December
Actions as well as Attitude (1 December)
Image: artwork by Amy Goodwin, 2021; photography by Rosie Reed Gold.
