Danica Janković & Maud Karpeles: An exploration of the historic connection between two leading 20th Century Folklorists based in Serbia and Great Britain

The English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDSS) runs Cecil Sharp House, and in this historical building is the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library (VWML). The VWML is a most significant library and archive for traditional culture in the UK. See [webmaster updated here]. A ‘Danica S. Jankovic Memorial’ book was recently rediscovered in the VWML. It is an apparently unique book from 1960, made as a loving tribute following Danica’s death in that year, comprising many letters of support and condolence written to Ljubica Jankovic at that time as well as rare, original photos of Danica and Ljubica S. Jankovic throughout their lives. Its place in the archive at Cecil Sharp House is evidence of an old connection between EFDSS in London and Danica Jankovic in Beograd, in particular that Danica became friends with a founder member of EFDSS, Maud KarpelesOBE, probably in the 1920s.

These two women had much in common - both carried out pioneering collecting trips to remote parts of the world, both were at the forefront of the early 20th Century folk ‘revival’, both were high-achieving scholars in a very new discipline. Danica Jankovic and Maud Karpeles were also influential members of the EFDSS and the International Folk music Council (IFMC), from its creation in London in 1947. To commemorate 50 years since the death of Danica Jankovic and to celebrate the warm international friendship that existed between these two ground-breaking folklorists, the EFDSS and the London Gypsy Orchestra are joining forces to present OPA CUPA! – a big Serbian/UK celebration of traditional dance, music and songs at Cecil Sharp House, the home of EFDSS, on Saturday 20th March 2010. Special Guests: The Zifko Firfov Folklore Group, formed over 50 years ago, specializing in songs and dances from the former Yugoslavia. In their collection of costumes are many originals dating back to the beginning of the 20th century. There will be an ‘Archive Corner’ at this event, courtesy of the VWML, where it will be possible to view photographs and read articles from the Danica S. Jankovic Memorial Book, and study articles written by the Jankovic Sisters in English and Serbian, as well as learn about the amazing ethnomusicology (and ethnochoreology) of The Jankovic Sisters and Maud Karpeles whilst listening to rare archive recordings of Yugoslavian folk music selected from the VWML Sound Archive especially for the occasion!