Fête de la musique – Music Day in France

Life would be much more fun and positive if music accompanied us at every step.

 

Morning, we are heading to work and we think if we have turned off the straighteners and ifwe have not forgotten to take lunch with us and if we have dressed our child well, so that he will not get sick. Evening, we are coming back home after a tiring day and we are not in a hurry to do our daily chores, but there are only thoughts in our heads about the things we should do before we go to sleep. Imagine that these activities are accompanied by music. But not the music from the phone, every now and then disconnecting with the network. Not the music you only hear and maybe sometimes you smile more with known rhythms, but seeing the worries of other passers-by, you return with your own thoughts to your own problems.

And what if we could hear live music on every street and the bands would spread positive energy on all passers-by? People would not only smile at each other, but would also be more willing to help each other and have more energy for the whole day. Sounds utopian? A bit yes, but in France there is one day a year when music accompanies people on every corner. June 21 is not only the First Day of Summer, but also the Day of Music – Fête de la Musique.

The Music Day in France celebrated its 37th anniversary. When in October 1981 Maurice Fleuret became music and dance director at the Ministry of Culture of Jacek Lang, he decided to introduce a new concept:

“La musique sera partout et le concert nulle part” – “Music will be everywhere and the concert will be nowhere”.

It evoked a musical revolution which, with its idea of equality of all people, treating everyone the same regardless of origin, was also an inspiring way to fight racism. His idea represented all that France needed at the time:

 “sound liberation, drunkenness, dizziness, which are more authentic, more intimate, more eloquent than art ”.

When, in 1982, the Ministry of Culture research showed that 5 million people, including one in two young, play a musical instrument, and at the majority of festivals there are the same people, it was decided to organize a music event for this French minority. This is how the Fête de la Musique was created, and on June 21, as the longest day of the year, it was symbolically chosen as the date of the event.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That day in France free concerts are organized for the general public and everyone can play for free whenever they feel like it. And indeed, I can personally confirm that music is everywhere.

For the third time I had the opportunity to participate in this special day on the streets of Paris. This year I went to the Saint Michel neighborhood, not far from Notre Dame, where I was able to see many artists playing different types of music. It is a really great event, full of positive energy. It is a pity that you can participate in it only once a year.

 

 

Music Day also appealed to other nations and is currently celebrated in 120 countries.

Useful information::

Every year on June 21, in most of French cities and above all in every corner of Paris, you’ll see bands playing live, just go out on the street! There is also a calendar with detailed event information. Here is the page from 2018.

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