Fête de la Musique started in France in 1982; since then, it has turned into something of a Europe-wide music festival. More, in fact: in 120 countries and 350 cities around the world.

On June 21 2008, it will be celebrated for the first time in Bulgaria - in Bourgas, Plovdiv, Sofia, Varna, Yambol and more.

The French performance group Tecktonik will entertain with its dancing and electronic house music in Sofia. DJ Master Dam and three dancers will give a demonstration in front of Ivan Vazov National Theatre from 4pm to 6.30pm; from 11pm, Tecktonik will be at Yalta Club (entrance 10 to 15 leva).

In addition, different neighbourhoods in Sofia will have special programmes: Oborishte, Vitosha, Lyulin, Ovcha Koupel, Nadezhda, Mladost, Ilinden, Studentski Grad, Vrabnitsa, Lozenets, Izgrev, Kremikovtsi, Krasno Selo, Serdika, Triaditsa and Novi Iskar.

Dedicated to live music performance in all its interpretations, the concerts and gigs are open to all interested, free-of-charge. It is a time of celebration, an opportunity to experience a variety of genres, to participate spontaneously in the art that is music, a drawing together of both amateurs and professionals. There is no financial gain to be had, as all participants do this out of their love for music, nothing more, and with no obligations on the part of the spectators (save the party at Yalta).

There is also the aspect of its alternative culture, as many of the concerts take place in locations atypical for music performance.

Partnering to make Bulgaria's first Fête de la Musique happen are the Institut français, Sofia municipality, the Culture Ministry, Yalta Club, Tecktonik, TV5Monde, Allianz Bank Bulgaria and RFI.

For a full programme for all the cities in which Fête de la Musique will be celebrated, please visit institutfrance.bg.

Oborishte borough. Otkrita Rock Scene will perform in Zaimov Park at 11am.

Vitosha borough. The music schools from the Knyazhevo chitalishte (community centre) will perform in the garden in front of the water springs, at the last stop of tramway number 5 at 4pm.

Lyulin borough. Orchestral concert at the Lyulin chitalishte, building 324-325, 1pm, with the participation of Symphonietta Orchestra, Bronenosets Theatre Atelier and the vocal group Sinigercheta .

Ovcha Koupel borough. Fanfare concert (2pm to 4pm) followed by a concert of chitalishte chorales (4pm to 6pm) in front of the Nikola Vaptsarov building, at 132 Tsar Boris III Blvd.

Nadezhda borough. Concerts by groups from Otets Paisii chitalishte and the village of Bankya at 6pm.

Mladost borough. Concert given by local talent at 10am.

Ilinden borough. Sofia percussion troupe performs in front of Rakovski chitalishte at 10.30am; there will also be an exhibition of paintings done by students based on themes by Charles Perrault.

Studentski Grad. Young musicians will perform in front of Vuzrazhdane chitalishte at 10am.

Vrabnitsa borough. Musical-poetry morning entitled Classicism in Music with the participation of students from St St Kiril i Metodi Music School at 11am. At 4pm, there will be a choral performance with piano, synthesiser and guitar in front of Vedrina chitalishte.

Lozenets borough. Various groups from the S Rakovski, Probouda and P Slaveikov chitalishteta will perform at 11am in the garden at the corners of Cherni Vruh and Evlogi Georgiev boulevards. It includes poetry readings to guitar and folklore music.

Izgrev borough. Original music at 4pm at the summer stage in Borissova Gradina.

Kremikovtsi borough. Concert in Varadero sport complex at 10am.

Krasno Selo borough. Amateur musicians perform at 11am in Bacho Kiro chitalishte and at 5pm, on the theme of music uniting the world.

Serdika borough. Three schools will give concerts in the garden in front of the nursery school on Hristo Botev Boulevard at 11am.

Triaditsa borough. At 10am at Dinev chitalishte, local chorals will sing.

Novi Iskar borough. A concert entitled The Musical World from Bach to Koutev will be held at 6pm in front of Hristo Botev chitalishte at Kourilo.

Sredets borough. There will be something spiffy happening at the Kristal garden at 11am.

Krasna Polyana borough. Orchestral concert with mandolin given by Prima Vision in Sofia City Art Gallery at 7pm.