“Preserves”
May 30 - June 2, 2026

Corner Brook, NL. Folklore Studies Association of Canada Conference. Theme: Preserves
Deadline: January 31, 2026.

The preservation of foodstuffs is an apt metaphor for the complex and contradictory project of folklore and ethnography.

The image of the jam jar encompasses our historic roots and the public’s common perception of us as gatherers and custodians of discrete cultural items—often homespun, local, land-based, and dangerously twee. However, preserves also speaks to the complexities with which we actually work: the food stuff that is preserved is a wholly new object transformed chemically, textually, gastronomically, sensually; its transformation is dependent on traditional knowledge that is embedded in material realities of weather and land and the flux of nature while also being changed by the creative dynamism of new tastes, technologies and materials; and the consumption of the preserves is subject to judgement, contexts, rituals, and ceremonies; finally, everything that is preserved is transformed, and everything that is preserved is eventually consumed. Preservation is not a static state but a constant site of labour, renewal, choice, and agency—an emergent bridge between points in time.

As a metaphor it is hoped this theme will allow the presentation of the very stuff that makes up the practice of folklore, ethnography and our companion disciplines including but not limited to: the collection and preservation of cultural materials, their transformation through transcription and analysis, and subsequent sharing and consumption as we share the fruits of our labor with each other and the world.

Participants are welcome to submit papers or panels that do not incorporate the theme.

Please submit your abstract here: https://fsacconference.wordpress.com/

Structure of the conference

Individual papers will be not more than 20 minutes long with 10 minutes reserved for questions.
Individual papers will be grouped thematically into panels of 3 papers, or 1.5h.
Panel proposals of 1.5 or 2 hour blocks are encouraged. They may be individual paper or workshop based.

Longer workshop blocks will be possible and proponents should submit a proposal to the organizers who will work collaboratively to schedule and facilitate them. For example, two pragmatic, interactive workshops will be held for students, practitioners and new scholars on: ethics and fieldwork safety.

Please submit abstract of not more than 250 words in English and French. Submitters are strongly encouraged to provide their own translations where possible but organizers can provide translation for allophones.

All presentations will be provided with audio-visual equipment. If you require specific media or applications please put this request in the appropriate submission field.

Organizers: John Bodner jbodner@mun.ca; Virratvuori, Akseli aavirratvuor@mun.ca