Fête De La Musique, Paris

The Fête de la Musique is a festival taking place on June 21. It's also the summer solstice most of the time. It began in France and has since spread to over 130 countries and 400 cities all over the world. The international development of the Fête de la Musique is the result of the firm implication of French cultural networks outside of France and local operators.

The idea was conceived by French Music and Dance director Maurice Fleuret for Minister of Culture Jack Lang in 1981 and first took place in 1982.

It is the occasion of a mass celebration which has grown more and more successful over the last two decades.

Its purpose is to promote music in two ways:

• Amateur musicians are encouraged to perform in the streets. The slogan Faites de la musique (make music), a homophone of Fête de la Musique, is used to promote this goal.

• Many free concerts are organized, making all genres of music accessible to the public.

• This is one of the only nights in the year where, under French law, there is no sound restriction at nighttime. One can party on without being bothered by neighbors calling the police.

For me this was the perfect opportunity to visit my friends Caro and Loïc in Paris. Since my last visit they are now a happy family with a great little boy called Lucas.

For me this was the perfect opportunity to visit my friends Caro and Loïc in Paris. Since my last visit they are now a happy family with a great little boy called Lucas.

Caro and her cousin Andreas have accompanied me to the grand concert at the Hippodrome d' Auteuil with an audience over 100.000 people. Over 30 bands and singers have been on stage like: Yannick Noah, Shy'm, Vitaa, Kamini, Mika, Avril Lavigne, Calogero, Christophe Willem, la troupe le Roi Soleil, David Guetta, Laurent Voulzy, Bob Sinclar, Tokio Hotel Christophe Maé, Clara Morgane ...

It was amazing to see what's going on that day in Paris. Coming home was just a bit tricky - because of the masses going home we decided for a nice walk through the city. Almost an hour later we arrived exhausted but happy at home.

The rest of my stay was also great. Beside of the great time with my friends I have visited the musée du quai Branly. It's a brand new museum and has many expositions of the culture of the world. I was lucky to go there because outside it was raining all the time.
I have also visited a sports event in the parc de la Villette. It was the finals of the mountain bike big air contest from Nissan. International riders could prove in the contest their skills in jumping over big hills of dirt and performing tricks. It was exciting to watch the tricks and to see what's possible to do with a simple bike.

Overall it has been again fantastic to visit Paris and I look forward to come soon again - latest at the next fête de la musique.


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Fête de la Musique, Paris