For 39 years, the Fête de la Musique (World Music Day) has heralded the start of summer with a delightful mix of organized stages, impromptu street-corner concerts, and festive parades. However, COVID-19 health regulations mean the 2021 edition cannot take place in its usual, full-scale format. The Ministry of Culture has just released health guidelines noting that spontaneity and health restrictions are incompatible. "One of its founding principles is spontaneity, making the 2021 edition particularly complex to organize. It must be adapted to the current health situation to ensure everyone's safety, while aligning with the broader effort to resume cultural activities." The Fête de la Musique will not be exempt from the health restrictions currently in effect since June 9. Here is a look at what will—and will not—be permitted.
No more curfew
The curfew will be lifted starting Sunday, June 20. There will no longer be restrictions in this regard, whereas the curfew had been set at 11:00 PM since June 9. Consequently, the Fête de la Musique can continue as long as bars, restaurants, and other seated venues remain open. While it may not last all night long, the event will not be hampered by the curfew.
But no standing audiences
Forget about crowds wandering from band to band or moving between different musical performances. The same applies to festive parades—such as *batucada* groups—where crowds would normally sway to the rhythm of the percussion. "Only seated arrangements will be permitted to facilitate crowd flow management and prevent gatherings and crowds, which will still be prohibited at that time." Gatherings in public spaces are limited to 10 people. In this regard, impromptu concerts by musicians—particularly amateurs—in public spaces will not be permitted, so as to avoid creating gatherings.
Concerts may be possible in bars, but...
Bars and restaurants must adhere to the conditions in place since June 9, with no special adjustments for the Fête de la Musique. This means customers must be seated at tables of no more than six people, with capacity limits set at 100% for terraces and 50% for indoor areas, and no consumption or service at the bar itself. The Ministry of Culture warns that "concerts in bars and restaurants will not be permitted if they are likely to lead to gatherings on public streets and increase the risk of indoor transmission (singing, wind instruments, indoor consumption without masks, and the risk of failing to observe protective measures in a social atmosphere)." It adds that "instructions will be issued to prefects to ban—via prefectural decree—the organization of concerts in bars and restaurants within their departments or in specific areas thereof."
Furthermore, the Ministry of Culture warns that "no exemptions or leniency are planned for the evening of the Fête de la Musique." It specifies that "law enforcement agencies, working closely with local municipalities and municipal police forces, will be mobilized to ensure compliance with these established rules." It will, therefore, be a Fête de la Musique unlike any other.
Strictly regulated events with seated audiences
Instead, the Ministry of Culture recommends organizing events with seated audiences that comply with current protocols—specifically regarding capacity limits, social distancing, and ventilation requirements in place since June 9. This entails seated audiences, capacity capped at 65% of the venue's maximum, a "health pass" requirement for events exceeding 1,000 attendees, and a total limit of 5,000 people. This setup suits certain events—such as classical music or vocal recitals and dance performances—but is clearly incompatible with the musical diversity that defines the identity of the Fête de la Musique. Once again, this will be a Fête de la Musique unlike any other.
These health conditions and protocols take us a long way from the spontaneous spirit of the Fête de la Musique.
