Fête de la musique

A few weeks ago I noticed a huge sign at Pleyber Christ advertising a Fêté de la Musique, saying what would be happening. More recently I saw information at Huelgoat about live music on the same date. I thought it was a shame that they would clash then thought no more of it.

Earlier in the week whilst I was in Sur La Route, the fête was being discussed. Suddenly it all began to make more sense. The fête de la musique is a national event.

The event has now taken place annually for forty years. It was started in 1982. The idea goes back further of course. In 1976 Joel Cohen, the then director of France Musique, came up with the idea of music saternales that would occur on the 21st June and the 21st December. Not long later, Maurice Fleuret former member of France Musique, was appointed Director of Music and Dance at the Ministry of Culture. At the beginning of 1982 he and others conducted a survey to discover how many French citizens practiced a musical instrument on a regular basis. It seemed that it was over 5 million people. Music was seen as of significant importance to the French people. The first Fêté was launched. Professionals and amateurs were involved in playing music in streets, bars and cafes, wherever there are people.

Fête de la musique is usually celebrated on the 21st June. It seems that locally it is being celebrated on the closest weekend. The festival has become an international success. It is now celebrated in 130 countries around the world. It is known in other countries as World Music day, though in France it retains its original name occasionally called Faites de la musique, make music, referring to the roots of the festival.

This weekend I shall be enjoying Fête de la musique. I am planning to see music in a couple of different places. All in all it should be a good weekend and we certainly have the weather for it!

This just leaves me to say, I hope you have a great weekend. Until Monday…