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CC 99 2011
Blister pack
BU
Blister pack BU
France · 30 years of Fête de la Musique
Mintage7,646
Issue price€10.00
Issue date21 Jun 2011
PackagingBlister pack
Edge lettering2 ★ ★ × 6, alternating upright/inverted
Market price€32.00
Issue occasion
The coin commemorates the 30th anniversary of the music festival, which has been celebrated since 1981 on the day of the summer solstice. The design features a stylized, cheerful crowd, a musical instrument and flying musical notes, as well as the inscriptions “Fête de la MUSIQUE”, “21 JUIN 2011” and “30e ANNIVERSAIRE”.
The design
The inner part of the coin depicts a stylised joyful crowd, a musical instrument and flying musical notes as an expression of the exuberant atmosphere at the music festival, which has been celebrated in France since 1981 on the day of the summer solstice. Above them are the words “Fête de la MUSIQUE” (music festival) and the date “21 JUIN 2011” (21 June 2011). At the upper right edge of the inner part of the coin, the words “30e ANNIVERSAIRE” (30th anniversary) are engraved. The letters “RF”, standing for the issuing country, appear in the lower part.
The twelve stars of the European flag are depicted on the coin’s outer ring.
The twelve stars of the European flag are depicted on the coin’s outer ring.
Background on the topic
Fête de la Musique emerged in the context of French cultural policy following the change of government in 1981. Minister of Culture Jack Lang and Maurice Fleuret, who was responsible for music and dance at the ministry, wanted to move musical activity more strongly from concert halls and other established institutions into public spaces. A survey of the population’s cultural habits had shown that several million people in France played an instrument, although many of them rarely performed in public.
Preparations began in 1981; the first nationwide event took place in 1982. The concept was deliberately kept simple: professional and amateur musicians were to be able to perform without an elaborate admission procedure in streets, squares, parks, courtyards, railway stations or restaurants. The events were generally intended to be free of charge for the public. In this way, the Ministry of Culture pursued two aims: encouraging people to make music themselves while also making different types of music audible outside their usual venues. Rock, chanson, classical music, jazz, electronic music, as well as regional and non-European traditions could stand alongside one another.
The French name contains a play on words. “Fête de la Musique” means “festival of music”, but at the same time sounds like the exhortation “Faites de la musique” – “Make music”. This participatory idea distinguishes the event from a centrally organised festival with a fixed programme. Although municipalities and cultural institutions coordinate performances in many places, a large part of the event is based on local initiatives.
The French model was subsequently adopted by numerous cities and countries. As a result, the originally national day of action developed into an international event format that is organised differently depending on the location. For France, the occasion combines state cultural policy with an enduringly established everyday practice. Its selection as a coin theme can therefore be explained both by its nationwide roots and by its spread beyond France.
Preparations began in 1981; the first nationwide event took place in 1982. The concept was deliberately kept simple: professional and amateur musicians were to be able to perform without an elaborate admission procedure in streets, squares, parks, courtyards, railway stations or restaurants. The events were generally intended to be free of charge for the public. In this way, the Ministry of Culture pursued two aims: encouraging people to make music themselves while also making different types of music audible outside their usual venues. Rock, chanson, classical music, jazz, electronic music, as well as regional and non-European traditions could stand alongside one another.
The French name contains a play on words. “Fête de la Musique” means “festival of music”, but at the same time sounds like the exhortation “Faites de la musique” – “Make music”. This participatory idea distinguishes the event from a centrally organised festival with a fixed programme. Although municipalities and cultural institutions coordinate performances in many places, a large part of the event is based on local initiatives.
The French model was subsequently adopted by numerous cities and countries. As a result, the originally national day of action developed into an international event format that is organised differently depending on the location. For France, the occasion combines state cultural policy with an enduringly established everyday practice. Its selection as a coin theme can therefore be explained both by its nationwide roots and by its spread beyond France.