Fête de la musique

Today, the 21st of June, is celebrated throughout France as the "Fête de la musique". The longest day of the year has been set aside as a cultural event where the creation and enjoyment of music is in order. Organized and ad hoc groups of people gather to make music in a variety of qualities. Other people will walk though city streets and listen and watch these random acts of creation.

For my last five years in France, I have only attended one of these events. This was in 2002, when I had just moved here from Scotland. Fred and I joined Marianne and André to walk through the streets of Clermont-Ferrand and watch the music makers around town. Everything from street soloist on traditional instruments, to small groups of electronic instruments, to techno being played at the highest decibels. It was a very festive mood, but somehow the "noise" of the event was most impressive.

Since that year, we have avoided the noise and clammer of the event by staying with friends who live out of town (thanks Francois and Nathalie!) or going to some remote country village where the depths of techno have not reached. Tonight we will visit Francois, Nathalie, Alice and Arthur to avoid the techno center of Clermont, which is just outside our bedroom window.

I am glad to have the chance to try out another one of the recipes that we learned at our cooking class this past weekend. Tonight I will bring a tarte provençale for the starter for our dinner. It is full of plenty of fresh ingredients and tasty herbs and flavors.

Happy Fête de la Musique!