JUNE 20 Event: Meet Joel Cohen

Don't miss out! Join us at the Alliance Française on June 20 at 6 PM for a special event featuring Joel Cohen, the visionary behind the Fête de la Musique.

Join us in the Grande Salle at 6 pm for an exclusive discussion on the history and evolution of the Fête de la Musique. Discover the fascinating journey of this now global celebration with the visionary artist behind its inception: Joel Cohen!

This session with Joel Cohen offers a unique opportunity to delve into the origins of this international event. In 1976, while working for France Musique, Joel proposed the creation of the “Saturnales de la Musique”, to be celebrated on the solstices, June 21 and December 21. His vision was for music groups to perform on the evening of June 21, as had been done in western Paris and Toulouse. This concept laid the foundation for what would become a global music festival. Click here to discover an article written by Joel Cohen on the significance and celebration of Fête de la Musique.

Armed with this knowledge, you'll be fully prepared for Rhythms in the North!

Joel Cohen is an American musician known for his expertise in early music repertoires and his pivotal role in creating the "Fête de la Musique." A graduate of Brown University and Harvard University, he directed the Boston Camerata from 1968 to 2008 and remains its Music Director Emeritus. Cohen also founded the Camerata Mediterranea and has extensively collaborated with Middle Eastern musicians on medieval Southern European repertoires.

Cohen's idea for an all-day musical celebration during the solstice, which he initiated while producing radio programs for France Musique in the 1970s, evolved into the "Fête de la Musique" or "World Music Day," celebrated annually on June 21. He has received numerous awards, including the Grand Prix du Disque and the Edison Prize, and holds the title of Officier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres from France. …Take me here!