Friday June 21^st is World Music Day, also known as The Fête de la Musique in French. This annual holiday is a celebration of music of all kinds. Citizens and residents are encouraged to play music outside in their neighborhood or in any public space or park for all to enjoy. The holiday aims to celebrate music as an art form and its ability to unify a positive change in society.

The History

Fête de la Musique, or World Music Day, was originally created in 1982 by Jake Lang, the Minister of Culture in France. He had recently appointed Maurice Fleurent as the director of Music and Dance at the Ministry of Culture. Their goal was to make music accessible to everyone along with giving amateur musicians a platform to perform. During the first annual celebration, young people took to the streets of Paris to listen, dance, and celebrate their shared love of music.

The festival takes place on the day of the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. The creators wanted the celebration to last as long as possible and festival goers to enjoy the sunshine and music all day to welcome the return of the sun.

Global Ties to Music

Today, World Music Day is celebrated in over 120 countries and more than 1,000 cities worldwide. Musicians of all ages, backgrounds, and genres can perform for their communities. The creator’s vision of having live, free, music that everyone can enjoy has been the driving factor for World Music Days global reach.

Outside of France, World Music Day is celebrated in Francophone countries (French Speaking countries) and other countries including India, Australia, Italy, Kenya, Brazil, the United Staes, and Japan.

Here at The Center

Here at The International Center, the opportunities for international connections over shared interests are endless. Yujin Seong, our International Business Development, Research Analysis & Consulting Intern, shares her story and connection to music and what it means to her. Yujin plays the Gayageum, a traditional Korean string instrument. Yujin started playing when she was a young child:

I was with this one teacher, from when I was 9 years old until I turned 18. We built an amazing bond together, not only strengthening my Gayageum skills but according to the teacher, it was wonderful to see her growing up the entire time. My Gayageum was always there for me. It was a measure for my growing height, it has a trace of my grandma and grandpa’s hands that I can’t feel anymore, it is taken in my parents’ album in their old phones, it soaked up all the laughter and happiness that my family emitted while viewing my performance, and it left calluses on my index finger of my right hand and a side of thumb nail on my left hand forever! It definitely is my life companion.

This June, we celebrate the many positive impacts music has on all our lives and are grateful for the opportunity to come together from all around the world for this special holiday.