In cities all across France, June 21 is a day to celebrate music. La Fete de la Musique was started in 1982 by France’s Minister of Culture, Jack Lang. Concerts large and small can be found in the streets of cities and villages throughout the country, free and open to all. This French cultural celebration has now become an international movement known as Make Music Day or World Music Day. The first time I experienced la Fete de la Musique, I was in Strasbourg, France, and it was the night before I was to return home to the States after a semester abroad. It was the Summer Solstice, and there were stages for music set up all over town! I had no idea what la Fete de la Musique was until I started walking around in Centre-ville and saw the stages of music and people everywhere! It was such an awesome day and night of music and camaraderie, and once I learned that it was happening all across the country and not just in Strasbourg, an amazing feeling of interconnectedness came over me and I was so moved by the sense of sharing this truly French experience with people all over the country. I couldn’t have asked for a better last night in France!! Vive la Fete de la Musique!
France Your Way 