I had no idea that 21 June is the day of the Fête de la Musique throughout France.
Embarrassingly, I thought it was just our commune’s idea.
I’m sure pretty much everyone else already knew that.
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I had no idea either.
Both of you have excuses! AM as non-resident and Porridge is still settling in. Put date in diary for next year.
I was staying in a flat with dual aspect, so had reggae in one ear and the shadows in the other as there were bands either side of the building.
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It helped it was right in our village. Everyone brought some food and the drinks were free. We made some carrot cake cupcakes which were a big hit with the locals.
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Yes, since 1981-2? by Jacques Lang, cultural minister at the time.
Also 1982 under Mitterand, legal working hours went from 40 hrs a week to 39hrs & the cherry on the cake another paid weeks holiday taking us up to 5 paid weeks holiday.
Bit of culture G 
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There was a big music bash going on in Ruffec (16) on Saturday night (although I didn’t go).
It was too hot for us, so we watched a live performance on France 2 from the théâtre antique in Orange - it must have been quite challenging keeping those intruments in tune, let alone performing operatic extracts!
Such a great idea. We found out in our language class upon arrival.
Our village and surrounding towns have a wide variety of music on offer. This year we went to the lacs de haute charente for 60-70’s music and a BBQ.
Brilliant night despite the heat.
Was in Paris last year making the parade with the Batucada. This year was spent wandering Strasbourg Centre Ville.
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It’s back! Today! Happy Fête de la Musique.
Don’t all rush (out) at once 
I’m enjoying a cool beer in the lovely weather first.
Are we allowed to say Who? I’d stick with the beer.
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Unfortunately not the Who. I have no idea though I guess that’s part of acquiring the ‘culture’. There’s been concerts since Thursday, some of them sound quite good - different and refreshing - always interesting.
Madame’s also marinaded some nice hot jerk chicken to go with the beer!
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Et alors que ce dimanche 21 juin signe officiellement le passage à l’été, cette première journée estivale s’annonce caniculaire, avec des températures frôlant les 40 °C. Dans ces conditions, plusieurs communes et autres organisateurs ont déjà pris des mesures pour annuler ou adapter leurs programmes pour la Fête de la musique.
check before you go, although many have already been and gone!
Maybe next year. Hope the weather is ‘normal’'.
Yes, I forgot to mention today’s the solstice, longest day of the year for the sun to shine!
I guess they will enjoy the weather at Stonehenge, though unfortunately no festival - killed by Thatcher. I saw Hawkwind there one solstice evening.
And the Fête is now worldwide - a quick google quoting wikipedia -
The Fête de la Musique, commonly known in English as World Music Day or Make Music Day, is a massive worldwide celebration held annually on June 21. Initiated in France in 1982, it has grown into a global event celebrated in over 1,000 cities across 120 countries. [1, 2, 3]
Edit - I wonder if it is a coincidence the day chosen for the Fête is the solstice?
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This is the new ‘normal’. Global warming has arrived and is here to stay, and will only get worse because we continue to drive around with our ICE’s. (using cheap petrol).
Iran closing the strait is really doing us a favour…
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Doubt it. It was started by Jack Lang the then Minister of Culture who was actually interested in culture. He is an interesting person, but sadly also got caught up with Epstein.
So did I. Went in 1984 with part of the Mid Wales convoy. The last year it was properly held before it was banned.
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