Did you know that European Music Day exists and what this European festival consists of?
There are countless occasions in which we play a certain song to lift our spirits, to make us feel better or to face each day with more enthusiasm and strength. Music accompanies us throughout time and our favorite music thus becomes the soundtrack of our lives. For each of us it has a certain meaning, but it undoubtedly helps us be happier.
We seek happiness in our great life goals, some, and in small details and daily pleasures, some others. And music is one of those details that helps us be happy, since its direct effect on our mood cannot be denied. It awakens our brain, fills it with stimuli and, in addition, gives us pleasure and inspiration to achieve our goals. For all this, let's see what the European Music Day: when is it and where to celebrate it.
The European music festival
European Music Day, originally Fête de la Musique (Music Festival), has the objective of promote cultural exchange through music. It does this in two ways: in the first, amateur musicians voluntarily take to the streets and in the second, free concerts are organized in which the public has the opportunity to witness their favorite artists regardless of style or origin.
When is European Music Day celebrated?
This international celebration is celebrated every year on June 21, coinciding with the summer solstice. This coincidence with the solstice symbolizes the triumph of nature through a festival that reflects the image of pagan festivals dedicated to nature itself and crops, since ancient times. Among them is the festival of San Juan and other popular festivals, in which a large fire was lit all night on June 21.
Why is European Music Day celebrated?
The festival intends to transform or exceptionally open some sites and places that are not traditionally used as musical venues, be they museums, hospitals, public buildings or train stations.
The free concerts, the support of SACEM (Society of Authors, Composers and Music Publishers of France), the interest of the media, the increase in interest on the part of the public and the support of government entities, have meant that, in a few years , the Music Festival has become one of the largest French and, at the same time, European cultural events.
Music is always a reason for celebration, but among its main objectives is increased cultural exchange among the peoples of the world, highlighting different musical styles and genres.
It also aims achieve greater musical diversity and create spaces so that music professionals can show their work and share it with the public that attends en masse to enjoy the concerts. Finally, he wants to show music as an entertainment tool that enriches life and makes it fuller, through an art full of beauty, magic and majesty.
Origins of the European Music Day festival
The Music Festival was born from the hand of Joel Cohen, in 1976, who was then working for Radio France/France Musique. For this channel he proposed the Saturnalia of Music on June 21 and December 21, during the two solstices. His intention was for the musical groups to play on June 21 at night and the project was carried out on June 21, 1976 in Toulouse.
It was in 1982 when the so-called 'Music Festival' was celebrated for the first time in France. His motto was “take all the musicians out to the streets”. Three years later, in 1985, the concept was adopted at the European level, thus making June 21 European Music Day. Jack Lang stipulated that the Fête de la Musique would be free, open to all types of music “without hierarchy of genres and practices” and that it would be open to all citizens.
This celebration also carries the new musical trends, the renewal of traditional music, the globalization of world music, the development of new genres, the appearance of rap, techno, urban music and others.
Thus, it favors visibility and access to artistic and cultural practices. Each year it manifests its ability to evolve and perpetuate itself. Coming from the Ministry of Culture and Communication, it is opened and disseminated “in the public space, with the public and for the public.”
Benefits of music in your life
The benefits that music provides are innumerable, starting with pleasure and entertainment and ending with a large amount of brain activity and stimulation that has a direct influence on relevant aspects of our lives such as mood, fatigue, anxiety or sleep. stress control. There are many hospitals that already include music therapy in many treatments.
On a personal level and as one of the seven fine arts, the decision to listen to music and how to do it is a personal determination, but health authorities have also established a series of direct health benefits:
First of all, and in these times dependent on speed at a vital level, it is capable of reduce anxiety. By listening to our favorite song we reduce the levels of cortisol, the hormone related to stress, which allows us to also reduce anxiety.
As we have said, music therapy releases endorphins, which act as natural pain relievers and thus, helps reduce pain. In fact, there are multiple studies that confirm that music reduces the pain of some chronic diseases such as osteoarthritis.
Likewise, increases optimism and protects brain aging, especially in people who suffer from depression. As published in the magazine Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, playing a musical instrument reduces the effects of mental deterioration associated with old age.
Another of its responses in the human body is that of strengthen the immune system. It also increases the production of platelets, stimulates lymphocytes and cellular protection against some diseases. At the same time, listening to music can also decrease cortisol levels, as we have noted, which can lead to a decreased immune response.
In the same way, it also serves as helps in neurological disorders such as Autism, Parkinson's or Alzheimer's. This occurs because music is like a gym for the brain, since it increases neuronal communication and the plasticity and elasticity of the organ.
Music is also a memory enhancer. When listening to music, several areas of the brain are activated that allow information to be processed better. Some reports confirm that listening to music or playing an instrument makes you learn better. Thus, a study published by the University of Helsinki indicates that Mozart's music activates the left and right brain, which maximizes learning and information retention.
Lastly, it is good for combat headache thanks to its relaxing and de-stressing effect, which can help people who suffer from migraines or headaches. And also, reduces blood pressure, according to research from the American Society of Hypertension, located in New Orleans. Listening to 30 minutes of classical, Celtic or reggae music daily can significantly reduce high blood pressure.
How and where to celebrate European Music Day
One of the most fascinating ways to experience live music is to come and see our new Krypton tour, to celebrate and enrich yourself with music, which has been essential in our lives since time immemorial.
Krypton, The Tour, Heroes and Superheroes in Concert, by Film Symphony Orchestra, offers an impressive musical odyssey through the best soundtracks of your favorite heroes and superheroes. Superman, The Last of the Mohicans, Spiderman, Conan the Barbarian, IronMan, Braveheart, The Dark Knight, Robin Hood, Captain America and The Incredibles, among many others, come together in an impressive set-list. The next dates are in Madrid, Illescas, Segóbriga and Torremolinos.
