World Music Day 2023: What is it and why do we celebrate it?

This day is usually celebrated with day-long musical performances, concerts, among other things

The history of World Music Day can be traced back to France in the '80s. (Source: Pixabay)

We’re listening to music when we go to work. We’re grooving to it when we’re showering. We’re crying to it when we’re feeling sad. We’re dancing to it when we feel happy. Music forms a big part of our lives, whether we realise it or not. And every year, the world celebrates World Music Day on June 21 to celebrate the ones who give us this music: musicians.

This day is usually celebrated with day-long musical performances, concerts, among other things.

Its history can be traced back to France in the 80s. Fete de la Musique, a musical festival that originated in France in 1982 is how the World Music Day came into being.

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The French minister of culture, Jack Lang, thought of dedicating a day to the celebration of music. Composer Maurice Fleuret was roped in to organise the festival in Paris and thus began the celebration of World Music Day, in nearly 120 countries.

According to another theory about its history, American writer Joel Cohen put forward the idea of celebrating Summer Solstice with an all-night music celebration. Ever since then, the World Music Day has been celebrated on the same day as the Summer Solstice which happens to be the longest day of the year.

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World Music Day may have originated in Europe but it celebrates any and all genres of music, be it your folk and tribal songs, or the international genres like jazz, rock, and classical, among others.

These days, more than 1,000 cities are a part of these celebrations.

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The theme for World Music Day 2023 is “Music on the Intersections.” This theme has been set to highlight and understand the impact music has in bringing people together, irrespective of their culture, language, or community.

The world celebrates Music Day as a reminder of the might of music, which can surpass cultural and language barriers and unite people from across the world.

Music is not just something to enjoy. It has also been used as an instrument to question the power of authorities, a medium to propel an important message to the masses, and even raise awareness about certain taboo topics. It can be used as a tool to advocate for freedom and justice and bring a change in society.

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