This thread makes me think of the Australian National Folk Festival which has been held since 1967. It has evolved over the decades especially by expanding the reach towards the diverse cultures in Australian society.

I heard that there was a bit of a detour in 2021 when a well-known, non-folkie singer whose genres include opera, jazz, pop, rock and dance but not folk was appointed as festival director and wanted to turn it into something completely different, based I think on the WOMADelaide festival concept, i.e. a full-on World Music festival which is important in its own right.

I also heard she was disrespecting folk music as we know it - and the part which I think is essential - the DIY (do-it-yourself) aspect of people of all abilities having a chance to play music and play with it in group learning workshops etc. I also heard she was very disrespectful of the Folk Festival's historical focus on Celtic music over the decades.

I only have this information from hearsay but I do know that there was a parting of the ways and the non-folkie singer is no longer the festival director.

[I'm happy to be corrected if my information is wrong or off-base.]