Charlotte Barriquand edited by Wassila Belhacine 4:36 p.m., June 21, 2022, modified at 4:38 p.m., June 21, 2022
In 1982, Jack Lang, former Minister of Culture, developed the idea of a music festival throughout France.
Since then, every June 21, music has been celebrated in all the towns and villages of France.
The festivity has even been exported to more than 120 countries on five continents.
"La France Bouge" retraces the history of this French celebration.
It's a special birthday.
40 years ago, a world-famous musical institution was born: the Fête de la Musique.
It all started with the idea of Joel Cohen, former American producer at France Musique.
Every December 21 and June 21, for the winter and summer solstices, he organized musical festivals.
The event was then only established in Paris and Toulouse.
In 1982, Jack Lang, former Minister of Culture, decided to develop the Fête de la Musique throughout France.
The idea?
Music on every street corner, everywhere in France, for everyone and by anyone!
In 1982, at the microphone of Europe 1, Jack Lang details his project: "Basically, we wanted to reveal to the French, to themselves and by themselves, that they constitute a small peaceful army of five million musicians amateurs or professionals, in this country that was said to be rebellious to music. It's an impressive phenomenon!"
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"We were afraid of doing a flop or a flop"
The first edition is done in haste.
The artists and the population are warned at the last moment.
But the call is heard.
Europe 1, then domiciled rue François Ier, is one of the fans of the first hour of the musical festival.
A radio hook is organized in front of the premises of Europe 1 during the first Music Festival.
The result exceeds all expectations.
Thousands of people take to the streets to sing, dance and play music.
Free concerts take place in all cities of France.
An incredible craze that even Jack Lang did not imagine.
20 years later, he looks back on his enormous stress for Europe 1: "First of all, I'm not nostalgic for the terrible stage fright I felt the first time around six o'clock in the evening, wondering if the call we launches was going to be heard!”, explains the former minister.
"We were afraid of making a flop or a monumental flop. And then finally, people responded fairly quickly," he continues.
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On the occasion of the music festival, the brass band of peacekeepers performs in Paris
A Festival that is exported all over the world
The Fête de la Musique is also the meeting place for professional musicians.
The festival brings to light new artists such as Camélia-Jordana, Wayne Beckford or the BB Brunes.
In 2011, the Music Festival is also being exported to Brussels.
During this edition, amateurs were even able to play with their idols!
"I was still a little apprehensive, but the atmosphere is still quite nice. Of course, we share the music with other people. And when it's famous singers, it's even better! ", says a participant from Brussels in 2011.
The Fête de la Musique has become an international event.
More than 120 countries on five continents celebrate music every June 21.
After two disrupted editions due to the health crisis, in 2022, the Fête de la musique celebrates its 40th candle.
Thousands of concerts are planned around the world.