Lecture: "Modern Tools of Folklore Collection: The Folklorist in the Field and on the Internet"

On March 20, a lecture entitled "Modern Tools of Folklore Collection: The Folklorist in the Field and on the Internet" was held as part of the "Folkloristic Discussions" at the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography. During the lecture, the issue of combining traditional folklore collection methods with modern technologies was discussed. The presentation covered what can be considered modern folklore, how this material can be recorded, and what its research can reveal. Folklorist and Ph.D. in Philology, Nvard Vardanyan, speaking about the traditional approach, noted that it still remains a phenomenon with a greater impact. However, she also emphasized the importance of the new approach to folklore collection—the study of the Internet domain as an innovative and modern platform for the dissemination of various materials. The discussion addressed the complications that may arise on the Internet regarding data verification, source validation, and information integration. The participants also discussed the importance of preserving traditional methods to ensure that the field does not lose its character. In the second part of the seminar, a lively discussion took place on the refinement of terms, their creation, and development within the Armenian context. It was emphasized that the development of science does not necessarily have to follow a mechanical copying of foreign models. Instead, it is essential to utilize the vast knowledge and skills that have been developed in our own reality, while also comparing them to the achievements of international science.