Fête de la Musique or Music Day, Held on June 21 each year, is the longest day in the northern hemisphere.
In October 1981, French Minister of Culture Jack Lang appointed Maurice Fleuret as Director of Music and Dance, leading to a new concept to democratize music.
A 1982 survey showed that while five million French people played instruments, musical events reached only a minority. Inspired, Lang, Fleuret, and Christian Dupavillon created the Fête de la Musique, first celebrated on June 21, 1982. This festival was free, inclusive of all music genres, and open to everyone. On that day, musicians performed in streets, squares, parks, and various public places, and thousands of people enjoyed music until late at night. The event saw widespread, spontaneous participation across France. By 1985, it started spreading internationally; by 2017, over 120 countries participated.
The festival showcases new musical trends and promotes community engagement, extending even into prisons and hospitals. It enhances the visibility of diverse musical practices, becoming a global cultural phenomenon rooted in public participation.