You may have noticed a hive of activity in and around your local towns and villages across Normandy and, indeed, France. This is because today is Fête de la Musique.
“The Fête de la Musique, also known in English as Music Day or World Music Day is an annual music celebration that takes place on 21 June. On Music Day, citizens and residents are urged to play music outside in their neighbourhoods or in public spaces and parks. Free concerts are also organized, where musicians play for fun and not for payment.
The first all-day musical celebration on the day of the summer solstice was originated by Jack Lang, then Minister of Culture of France, as well as by Maurice Fleuret; it was celebrated in Paris in 1982. Music Day later became celebrated in 120 countries around the world.”
Sadly, it is not yet another Bank Holiday but it is a fun packed day/evening of entertainment with, as the name suggests, live music being the main event.
Here in our own town of Sourdeval you can see the services team setting up all the stages, beer stands, bouncy castles and more. You will normally find a few different stages playing a variety of different music – all for free!
You can find out more about the Fête de la Musique from the government’s cultural website here.
https://fetedelamusique.culture.gouv.fr/
Here the site explains
“Music is the rhythm of life. On 21 June, we celebrate the joyful community it weaves between us – professionals, amateurs, enthusiasts and the curious.
For 41 years, the Fête de la musique has been echoing the musical ferment that takes place throughout France all year round. Every year, new music fans are discovered, thanks in particular to the Culture Pass, which enables hundreds of thousands of young people to buy their first musical instrument or go to their first concert at the age of 18. I’m sure we’ll see plenty of them on 21 June, a day that also provides an opportunity to remind ourselves how important it is for us to support musical expression, particularly in rural areas, so that amateur practices can flourish.”
We hope you enjoyed this little insight as to what will be taking place across France on this day.
