Paper short abstract:

In this paper I will especially focus on the recent history of the fields of anthropology, ethnology and folklore in France. I will present different models of possible cooperation and I will try to reflect on the heritages and utopias which can be shared today.

Paper long abstract:

In this paper I will speak as a board member of SIEF, but also as a member of several French and French-speaking associations, both in the field of anthropology and in the field of ethnology and folklore.

I will especially focus on the recent history of these fields in France, insisting on the foundation of the AFEA (Association Française d'Ethnologie et d'Anthropologie, a member association of WCAA) and trying to find out how this new association manages (or not) to bring together anthropology and folklore since its foundation in 2009.

Using this French example, I will also try to shed light on more global discussions going on between folklorists, ethnologists and anthropologists worldwide. I will present different models of possible cooperation between anthropologists and folklorists, ranging from unitarism to federalism. I will also question the relevance of dualist schemes: is it relevant to have dualist organizations in our fields?

The discussion will eventually lead me to use the notions of heritage and utopia in a self-reflexive way. Considering that the sense of community usually comes through shared heritages and utopias, I will try to reflect on the heritages and utopias anthropologists, ethnologists and folklorists can share today.