Music Dhaka joins hands in a unique music festival Fete de la Musique to be celebrated with a bang at Alliance Francaise Fayza Haq The Fete de la Musique will begin its celebrations at Alliance Francaise on June 20 with Mahjabeen Rahman's students' classical concert which includes pieces from renowned composers like Mozart, Beethoven etc. Next Midanga, a cultural organization will present music and dance performances. Later comes classical music by Ustad Khwaja Mohammed Salimullah. This is followed by flute performance by Murtaja Murad. Nilofer Yasmin will then present classical songs at 7:00 pm. This will be followed by rock music at 9:00 pm.

The celebration of music will continue on June 21 by holding competitions in French poetry reading and songs by the French International School and the British School. A French play Efid will be presented. Next there will be baul music by Shahjehan Mia. The function will be concluded with music by the folk troupe brought by Bibi Russel.

It's a massive cultural activity, that celebrates music of all forms ranging from pop, rock country to classical and from the often heard to the technical presentations. This will not be restricted to professionals only as young music enthusiasts who are amateurs will also join in the fervour. They will express their emotions, dreams and aspirations going to gardens, railway yards, streets, road junctions and even museums.

This is open to all both in halls and the open air. The success and enthusiasm of the Fete de la Musique is proved by the fact that more than thousands of musicians all over the "Francophonie" (love of French) world will take part in this and millions of onlookers will socialise on this occasion. They will somehow make the time for this and will join in with uninhibited enthusiasm.

This fete began in France in 1982, introduced by Jack Lang, the Minister of Cultural Affairs, and since then the occasion has become not only European but universal. It is celebrated today in more than a hundred countries on June 21, which is the solstice day of summer in the northern hemisphere, to which Bangladesh belongs.

Preparations are being made for the 2002 Fete de la Musique under the supervision of Herve Bordier. Last year, which was the 20th occasion of the fete, proved the unusual character of this occasion in which the versatility of music and musicians took a special place in the hearts of the audience in both France and the world over, where French is spoken and understood.

In France alone 800,000 amateurs and professionals take part in more than 10,000 concerts with an audience of 10 to 12 millions who come from the countryside and the metropolises. Moreover, in 110 countries and hundreds of cities of the five continents of the world, musicians from various origins join in their spirited enthusiasm and joyous participation in a festivity that is dedicated to one and all.

The 2002 Fete de la Musique will usher in new musical talents, fresh youthful singers and fresher venues of creation and spreading of this festivity of tremendous importance. Coming from conservatories and other schools of music there will be the rise of fresh artistic attempts and achievements which will consequently lead to nouveau musical networks. Through this artistic measure there will be revival of fascinating new collaborations of musicians, associations, schools with the aid of the distribution of a booklet of songs. Thus this occasion proves to be a nonpareil musical fete that will inspire millions of people throughout the world.

Since its inception the Fete de la Musique reflects the widest flow of any possible musical expression. This event has various names in different places such as "Tag der Musik", "Fiesta de la Music", "Music Day" or "Sarbatoara Muzicili" where the occasion is celebrated with bated enthusiasm. - Fayeza Haq
Courtesy: The Daily Star