Summer Solstice in France: a party to the rhythm of music
Every June 21st, the summer solstice in France is celebrated at the rhythm of music! But why?
When you think about the summer, you immediately associate it with sun, beach and picnic in the open air. A scenario sometimes quite rare, especially in the rainy Paris! The most "experts" will think maybe at midsummer Scandinavian (or Juhanni in Finland), but perhaps not everyone knows that France also celebrates it, and in a very special way. Not with garlands of flowers, but with the very anticipated Music Festival (Fête de la musique).
The origins of the Fête de la musique
The Festival of Music in France was born in 1982 in France, at the initiative of the Ministry of Culture. A first spark, however, was in 1976. The American Joël Cohen, producer for Radio France-Musique, had the idea of creating "Saturnals of Music", proposing a night opening of radio broadcast on 21 June and 21 December.
The project began in Toulouse and Paris on June 21, 1976: all musicians, amateurs and professionals, were invited to play spontaneously on the streets, while the radio broadcast a captation of these events.
"Music everywhere, concerts nowhere"
This was the debut slogan of the first Fête de la musique in France, on 21 June 1982.
According to a study, it seemed that 4-5 million French were in possession of at least one musical instrument, without having the opportunity to play often in public. The instruments were likely to be thrown away, and the art of those who played them somehow "repressed". The music critic Maurice Fleuret, led by the idea of Joël Cohen, decided to create a completely free party, open to everyone and any style, instrument and voice stamp. The symbolic date of 21 June recalls ancient pagan rites and, precisely, the summer solstice.
France moved away at the pace of music on the streets, bars, even at airports and anywhere usually not used for entertainment. No matter what their age, origin, social extraction and profession were, all citizens were welcome to the Music Festival. The final message was to resist universality to music, break down any barrier between professionals and amateurs and make it a symbol of liberté so dear to the French people.
The Music Festival in the World
At every summer solstice, France involves over 5 million artists and at least 10 million spectators and fans. Its success soon turns the world around, conquering more than 120 countries.
Since 1995 the festival has begun to cross the French borders, while in 1997 it was established in Budapest the European Charter of Music Festival. The aim was to promote knowledge of the musical realities of the various countries, to educate culture and to encourage international exchanges. On this occasion, among other things, the unique date of June 21st and of course the total gratuitousness of the feast was enshrined.
And in Italy? The energy of the festival of music does not leave the country indifferent even from the early 1990s. The first cities to join were Rome and Naples, signatories of the Budapest Charter, then quickly followed by many other cities. Since 2016 the Ministry of Culture has been committed to promoting the Festival of Music across the Italian territory through the AIPFM (Italian Association for the Promotion of Music Festival).
Year after year, the international programme Fête de la musique can be consulted on official websites:
Whether in Italy, France or anywhere else in the world, the Festival of Music represents a moment of brotherhood, social cohesion and freedom of expression. To this day, despite the tensions in the world, the ideas of Maurice Fleuret and Joël Cohen are successfully pursued. Like Christmas, Easter and Valentine's Day, We can state loudly how important this "summer solstice in music" is for France, like any other occasion.
So, always celebrate music, wherever you are and whoever you are!
