Celebrate festival of music
France initiated the now worldwide music festival 25 years ago
Held on June 21 each year, the festival of music is a day for musicians and other music lovers to get out and enjoy music, pure and simple.
Rogue musicians, those armed only with their instrument, some talent and a bit of determination, can generally be found scattered throughout major metropolitan areas. They are the lone violinist playing in the square; the accordionist whose music dominates the arched walkway; the guitarist who belts out singer-songwriter tunes on the corner. On the 21st of June each year, the French government has encouraged anyone with any rogue musician tendencies to take their music to the street, the cafes, the town squares.
It’s been 25 years since Christian Dupavillon, then an adviser in the private office of the Culture Minister of France, came up with the idea for the music festival. He’d received a memo explaining that the French owned more than 4 million musical instruments and about 75% of them were deteriorating from lack of use. That memo spurred the idea for the festival.
“Why, on that day, couldn't performers, professionals and amateurs alike, play completely freely indoors and out, everywhere, in public squares, under porches and on covered walkways, areas of school playgrounds and hospital gardens, at entrances to music academies or under café awnings just for the sheer pleasure of playing?” Dupavillon wrote later explaining his thoughts on the festival. “All that was missing from this mammoth concert was a name, a date and a Prince Charming to awaken Sleeping Beauty.”
It was originally called "Faites de la musique", which translates to “make music,” but it also has the same pronunciation as fête de la musique, meaning festival of music. The date, June 21, was chosen partially because it is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
Now, the festival of music is celebrated in more than 100 countries. A few examples include the "Hymn to Joy" at Berlin's Brandenburg Gate, electronic music at the Place de la Monnaie in Brussels and more than 200 concerts in the Barcelona streets. But the festival isn’t limited to Western Europe: People throughout Africa, the Americas, Asia and more celebrate the festival.
In recent years, some have complained that the festival has been overtaken by the sponsors and media, but on the whole, the festival goes over well. It is a time for amateurs and professional musicians alike to dust off their cellos, their trumpets, their drum sets and celebrate something that is non-political, non-violent and beautiful in its own right. All types of music - from classical to rap, jazz to metal - are welcome, and a walk around a participating city provides insight into the music that lives within the locals’ hearts.
