Since its launch in France in 1982, the popularity of the Music Festival has not waned. It is now held in nearly 350 cities around the world, often under its original name of "Make Music!" that embodying its philosophy: to allow all musicians, during the longest evening of the year, to share their passion.
Generally attributed to Jack Lang (Minister of Culture under the french president François Mitterrand) the paternity of the now "World Music Day" was in fact initiated 6 years earlier by the American musician Joel Cohen. His proposal to the radio station France Musique: "Saturnalia of music" held during the 2 annual solstices. A first festival was organized in Paris and Toulouse on June 21, 1976, the day of the boreal summer, and its success encouraged André Henry (in charge of the new Ministry of Free Time) to renew it to celebrate the arrival of François Mitterrand in the government in 1981.
Following the craze around the great free concert held on the Place de la République in Paris (100 000 spectators!), Jack Lang and Maurice Fleuret, director of music and dance of the ministry, decided to install the musical event which was officially born, in its current form, on June 21, 1982.
At the beginning, the event was called "Faites de la musique !" (Make music!) because its objective was to encourage amateur musicians to perform everywhere in France. From the beginning they spread the word and, for the greatest happiness of the citizens, invade bars, parks, streets... to play original compositions or covers, all this in a friendly spirit boosted by the beginning of the summer period.
The summer solstice makes June 21 the longest day of the year, so it is ideal to celebrate with dignity one of the most popular arts in the world, but this date is also part of a very old tradition: the pagan festivals dedicated to nature or to the harvest (such as the St. John's fires) which, since ancient times, celebrated the sacredness of nature through a festive day around June 20.
In the same spirit, the Nuit Blanche (White Night), which highlights the visual arts, is inspired by old Nordic festivals: it is held at the beginning of October, after the equinox, because this is the moment when the night becomes longer than the day.
Valerie from Comme des Français
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