UVODNE BESEDE / FOREWORD 
Ta zvezek Traditiones prinaša zbir dveh razdelkov razprav, ki so nastale z mislijo na življenj-ska praznika dveh dragih kolegic, akademikinje prof. ddr. Marije Stanonik in dr. Mojce Ravnik. Ker se nobena od njiju še ni poslovila od aktivnega raziskovalnega dela v inštitutu in zunaj njega, smo se odrekli pričakovanim ali obveznim vsebinam, npr. pregledu in oceni dela ali bibliografiji, ki navadno spremljajo publikacije, namenjene počastitvi jubilantk ali jubilantov. Njuna vsakdanjika sta še tako močno vpeta v življenje tukajšnje folkloristike in etnologije, tudi našega inštituta, da se zdi, da bi se vsakršna premislek ali presoja o njunem delu zarezala v njune nedokončane zamisli in želje, kaj je treba in vredno izvedeti od ljudi, urediti, napisati, izdati, komentirati, svetovati... 
Etnološko in folkloristično pot sta si izbrali pred nekoliko več kakor štirimi desetle­tji, v strokovno izjemno vznemirljivem, za neposredno udeležene celo razburljivem času oblikovanja novih pogledov na etnologijo in folkloristiko. Bili sta ne le sopotnici, temveč tudi soustvarjalki glavnih problemskih in metodoloških sprememb, ki so zaznamovale čas od srede šestdesetih pa do osemdesetih let minulega stoletja. Problemske razvejitve so narekovale specializacije za nove teme, ki sta jih poganjali raziskovalska radovednost in predanost, človeška in znanstvena v enem. 
V tem sta šli vsaka svojo pot, dr. Stanonikova bolj folkloristično, dr. Ravnikova etnolo­ško. Obema pa so (bili) skupni izzivi in podobni cilji: kako vprašanja o življenju in kulturi razvozlavati na terenu, kako mu prisluhniti, mu omogočiti pravico do glasu v znanstvenih besedilih in kako negovati kroženje med t. i. teorijo in empirijo. 
Marija Stanonik je podobno kakor pred njo akademik dr. Matičetov prisluškovalka in zapisovalka polifonije mnogovrstnih glasov, katerih vsak – ne glede na morebitni ideološki predznak – je vreden pozornosti in objave. Kot za estonskega skladatelja Arva Pärta je zanjo pomemben ne le cvet, temveč tudi bilka ali list, vsi imajo pravico biti slišani. Z izjemno žilavostjo, vztrajnostjo in vero v moč besede v njenih mnogoterih položajih in izrazih je gradila in utrjevala dom slovstveni folkloristiki in ga odpirala številnim gostom. 
Mojca Ravnik je med prvimi v strokovnih objavah dala prostor glasu »informatorja«, zanjo vselej enakovrednega sogovornika. Razkrila je tesne povezave med elementi materialne in socialne kulture. Z njej lastno vnemo in predanostjo je predvsem na obrobjih slovenskega etničnega prostora odkrila številne posameznike, zbiralce etnološke kulturne dediščine, in jih postavila na kulturni zemljevid; zdaj skupaj z lokalnimi strokovnimi ustanovami soustvarjajo temelje lokalne, regionalne in etnične identitete in samozavesti. 
Obema želimo 
Ad multos annos! 
Jurij Fikfak in Ingrid Slavec Gradišnik in raziskovalke in raziskovalci iz Inštituta za slovensko narodopisje ZRC SAZU 
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UVODNE BESEDE / FOREWORD 
This issue of Traditiones features two sets of articles created to celebrate the lives of two dear and esteemed colleagues: academy member Marija Stanonik and Mojca Ravnik. Because both of them are still actively engaged in research at the institute and beyond, we decided to dispense with certain expected or de rigueur materials usually featured in publications honoring persons celebrating a major anniversary—for example, an overview and assessment of their life’s work or a bibliography. Their day-to-day lives are still so strongly connected with the practice of folklore studies and ethnology in Slovenia, and also at our institute, that it seems that any reflection or evaluation of their work would be at cross purposes with their yet uncompleted plans and desires to discover what is necessary and worthy to learn from people, and to arrange, record, publish, comment, advise, and more. 
They set out on their paths in ethnology and folklore studies over four decades ago, during a turbulent time in the discipline, and also an exciting one for those directly involved in shaping new perspectives on ethnology and folklore studies. They not only accompa­nied—but also helped create—the main changes in topics and methodologies that marked the time from the mid-1960s to the 1980s. Branching into various topic areas demanded specializations for new subjects, which were driven forward by both personal and research inquisitiveness and dedication. 
These two scholars each chose their own path: Stanonik focused more on folklore studies, and Ravnik on ethnology. However, both of them shared common challenges and similar goals: how to unravel questions about life and culture in the field, how to listen to it, how to allow it the right to be heard in research, and how to cultivate the interchange between theory and experience. 
Like Milko Matičetov before her, Marija Stanonik listens to and transcribes the polyphony of many voices, each of which—regardless of any ideological orientation—is worthy of attention and publication. Similar to the Estonian composer Arvo Pärt, for her it is not only the blossom that is important, but also the stem or the leaf—they all have a right to be heard. With exceptional tenacity, persistence, and faith in the power of the word in its diverse positions and expressions, she built up and fortified the edifice of literary folklore studies and opened it to many guests. 
Mojca Ravnik was among the first to allot space in scholarly publications to the voice of the “informant”—for her always an equal interlocutor. She revealed the close connection between elements of material and social culture. With her own fervor and dedication, focusing on the margins of Slovenian ethnic territory, she discovered many individuals collecting ethno­logical cultural heritage, and she put them on the map. Today, together with local institutions, they are creating the foundations for local, regional, and ethnic identity and self-confidence. 
To both of them we wish 
Ad multos annos! 
Jurij Fikfak and Ingrid Slavec Gradišnik and the researchers at the ZRC SAZU Institute of Slovenian Ethnology 
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