Post written by Lucille, United Planet team member.
Did you know the Music Day started in France? Every year in France since 1981, on June 21st, we celebrate “la fete de la musique”. It is a special day dedicated to music. So, all day, there are many free concerts everywhere, even in small villages. Many musicians play in the streets all night long. You can see professional musicians or amateurs alike. There is all kind of music, some people play an instrument, others sing, and some unknown bands try to gain notoriety. The most important is to have fun and to try to play good music!
But the Music Day is not the only day dedicated to music in France. There is another day dedicated, not really to music, but to musicians! November 22, many musicians celebrate “Sainte Cecile” by a special concert. It is not the same atmosphere than the Music Day, it is more formal and some bands don’t play that day but schedule their concert during the closest week end, but it is a very important concert for the musicians. For many bands, it is the occasion to show all the work they did during a year! But (unfortunately) this special day tends to be forgotten in some places and when I wish “happy Sainte Cecile” to a musician outside the North or the East of France, many people don’t know what I’m talking about.
Anyway, if you are in France the on June 21, don’t plan to sleep a lot, there are too many concerts to see, the best idea may be not to sleep at all! And, if you know music, don’t hesitate to play! You would never find a better day! If your trip to France is scheduled on November, that’s great too! Just go to Lille and see how Bands celebrate Sainte Cecile in the North of France!!!
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