Mentors and Apprentices: In Memory of Olivia Cadaval

Join us for a story circle to celebrate the life and work of our 'colega,' mentor, and friend, Olivia Cadaval (1943–2025), who served as a curator at the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage for three decades. The Festival was one of the many places where Olivia’s brilliance, creativity, and commitment to community shone brightly. Those who knew her well, know what a great storyteller she was and how much she loved a good story. We invite attendees to share a story about her generosity and indomitable spirit.

This event will happen in-person, live on the National Mall at the Olivia Cadaval Story Circle. Use the Festival Map to locate this venue: https://festival.si.edu/map

Accessibility: Live real-time captioning and American Sign Language Interpretation are available for this program. Assisted listening devices are also available to check out at the Accessibility tent.

The 2025 Smithsonian Folklife Festival will take place on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., July 2–7, 2025. Learn more: festival.si.edu