Roads to Appalachia Through Eastern Europe Trip Planned
The Frank and Jane Gabor West Virginia Folklife Center at Fairmont State University is sponsoring a travel abroad program called Roads to Appalachia through Eastern Europe 2010: From the Carpathians to the Alleghenies. The trip will explore the life, culture and root heritage of Eastern Europeans in West Virginia.
The trip is planned for July 12 to 24, 2010. Anyone in the community, as well as Fairmont State and Pierpont Community & Technical College students, faculty and staff, may apply to attend. Before the trip, there will be opportunities for the participants to receive background information on the places to be visited. For itinerary information or to apply for the trip, visit http://www.fairmontstate.edu/wvfolklife/studyabroad.asp.
Among the heavy wave of settlers into Central Appalachia during the early 20th century's Industrial Revolution, many immigrants came from Eastern European countries. Settling in coal camps and other industrial places, the Eastern Europeans brought with them varied traditions, customs, storytelling and other folkloric elements that are still perpetuated in parts of Central Appalachia. Until 1989, travel to Eastern Europe was difficult.
"Green Hills of Magic: West Virginia Folktales from Europe," collected by Dr. Ruth Ann Musick, is an important guide to various sites and content that will comprise the study abroad program. Hosts for the trip will be Dr. Judy P. Byers, Director, and Noel W. Tenney, Cultural Specialist, both of the Folklife Center. They will travel with the group and help to connect the similarities between Folklife in Appalachia and other countries.
On the itinerary are castles, Folklife museums, famous cities, historical villages, cathedrals and ancient sites. Locations included on the trip are Bucharest, Sinaia, Brasov (Transylvania) and Cluj, Romania; Budapest, Visegrad and Szentendre, Hungary; and Krakow and Warsaw, Poland.
Arrangements will be made by National Travel. The cost is $3,960 per person, double occupancy. The cost is all inclusive: two meals a day with special cultural cuisine, all entrance fees, air and land transportation, taxes, baggage handling and lodging in first class hotels. A payment plan is available. A deposit will be due Oct. 30, 2009.
For more information about the travel abroad opportunity, call Dr. Judy P. Byers at (304) 366-5387 or e-mail her at jbyers@fairmontstate.edu.
