At the end of March, I had the wonderful opportunity to attend the Appalachian Studies Conference in Cookeville, Tennessee. The beginning of 2025 has been a little chaotic here where I live, Eastern Kentucky, which is part of what is known as Central Appalachia— flooding not once, but twice. This disaster’s economic impact and the impact on morale in areas that are already struggling is profound. To understand better the culture of Appalachia you have to live it, and what a better place in a time of disaster recovery than a conference that is all about it.
There were several workshops, lectures, and screenings all at once, making it really hard to choose one, but in order to get most of the experience, I personally chose those that were more focused on the culture. At one of those workshops, the facilitators asked us: “When you have felt the most Appalachian?”
This question for me was intimidating. You cannot tell by my writing, but I wasn’t born in the US, and I have a heavy foreign accent. I am what many consider a “transplant.” I am not native to the area, but I had my roots set here. I know my boundaries and calling myself Appalachian is not something I would do. But the question was about the experience, about feeling part of it, and that I can do.
Driving in the fall those back roads can be magical, speaking with kids in a high school in Harlan or Corbin, attending a festival in Pikeville. Or learning from the Indigenous people that are still living among us every year at the American Indian gathering. The deep-rooted traditions, and complex social and economic challenges, makes the experience of Appalachia one of resilience, strong community ties, and a cultural identity that both resists and adapts to change. Perhaps the most important is the connection with the place and sense of belonging! It is real— one of the last activities I participated in during the conference was an Appalachian-Japanese Jam, which was a music session lead by a Japanese banjo player from Eastern Kentucky and a fiddler from North Carolina.
This music session felt otherworldly. While I was listening, I got emotional witnessing the beauty of the music played by a group of individuals of different backgrounds, improvising old music and jamming like they have been together forever, though they had never played together. In that moment, in that place, there were not differences but just love for music and the experience of living the Appalachian culture.
The Appalachia experience is one of contrasts—beauty and hardship, tradition and change, struggle and pride. It is a region that continues to redefine itself while holding on to the strengths of its past and using innovation to look for a better future.
So, if you are not from here or you’re living away, I encourage you to plan a visit soon to experience Appalachia, support our small businesses as they recover, and just enjoy the culture.
Here are a few interesting upcoming festivals and events to consider:
- Honey Festival – Jackson, KY
- Workshops/Events at Hindman Settlement School – Hindman, KY
- Possum Fest – Cumberland, KY
