People dance during France's annual Fete de la Musique (Festival of Music) on Sunday in Nantes, western France. Photo: AFP

France began to shake off its coronavirus blues Sunday with cinemas opening at the stroke of midnight and thousands of people taking to the streets for its midsummer music festival.

The annual Festival of Music usually brings millions of people out in towns and cities across the country with a mix of large-scale events and impromptu concerts in cafes and on street corners that go on long into the night.

But in 2020 there are few big set-piece extravaganzas beyond what French electronic music legend Jean-Michel Jarre has billed as the world's first live virtual "avatar" concert - "like in the Matrix."

The veteran performer hopes to go one better than the lockdown gig performed by the US rapper Travis Scott inside the shooter game Fortnite in April, which was watched by more than 12 million players.

Social distancing means that the Accor Arena in Paris will only be able to welcome 2,000 fans - a tenth of its normal capacity - for a show featuring a stellar line-up of francophone talent.

While gatherings of more than 10 people are still banned in France, its culture ministry said police would be tolerant with outdoor jamming sessions during the night if people keep their distance.

Having rushed back to the terraces of their cafes and restaurants earlier in June, millions of French people are also waiting with bated breath for cinemas to reopen Monday.

Casinos will also welcome gamblers from Monday while stadiums and racetracks will reopen on July 11, subject to a limit of 5,000 people, the government announced late on Friday.

Millions of children are also getting set to return to school for the last few weeks before summer holidays, after roughly three months at home. 

On Monday, all pupils in primary and secondary schools up to the age of 15 will be able to return to school, following a gradual reopening in recent weeks.

"I cried with joy when I got the confirmation from the teacher that my two children would be going back to school full time," said Noemie from Nice.

And although France ended its top-level soccer season in April, team sports are due to return to stadiums on Monday, though without fans until July 11.

Celebration and friendship 

As France's annual midsummer musical festival unfolded, a virtual concert of Chinese and French folk songs performed with Chinese folk musical instruments was broadcast live on Sunday afternoon on media apps and social media platforms to share the passion for beauty and mark the solidarity in fighting the pandemic.

The online event, Poetic Fragrance from China: Traditional Chinese Music Concert, brought artists from both China and abroad onto the same stage to send out prayers for a victory against COVID-19 and wishes for the safety of the people.

China and France have shared weal and woe, worked closely with each other and jointly pushed forward international cooperation in the fight against COVID-19, Chinese Ambassador to France Lu Shaye said when opening the online concert.

"As the phrase 'Unis nous vaincrons' (united we will win) goes, China and France have penned a new chapter in friendship," said the ambassador.

This unprecedented pandemic once again proves humans share a common future. 

"Only if countries around the world work together can we build a better and more beautiful world," Lu said.

Former French prime minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin started his speech with xiexie - the Chinese word for "thank you" - to "the artists who have helped make this concert possible and to friends who have helped nurture the cultural relationship between China and France."

"COVID-19 has harmed the health of human beings and forced us to distance ourselves from others and confine ourselves up. Nevertheless, we all know that this global challenge can only be conquered through cooperation," Raffarin said.

"Culture plays a vital role in the promotion of the cooperative spirit in global development," he added. 

"Music is a celebration, and culture is friendship."

During the concert, many revered folk songs of China were performed, as well as a folk rendition of classic French songs "La Vie en Rose" and "Les Champs-Elysees."

The event was co-hosted by the China Cultural Center in Paris and China National Opera & Dance Drama Theater, along with Chinese artists in France and students at the center.

When Central China's city of Wuhan reported the COVID-19 cases, many renowned cultural figures in France showed their support to China's fight against the epidemic, the Chinese embassy in France said in a statement.

More than 300 French artists and cultural workers had jointly issued a public letter, 40 theater performing artists lent their voice to the collaborative song "Together," and players of the Paris Saint-Germain Football Club wore jerseys with "Be Strong, China" printed on them.

When France reported rising cases of COVID-19, the Chinese side also provided assistance in delivering medical supplies to France, the embassy statement said.  


Newspaper headline: A return to normality