Every year as the days grow longer and the summer solstice approaches, Jack Lang returns to the spotlight. The legendary French culture minister who made his mark in the 1980s looks set to go down in history as the man who invented the Fête de la Musique. But it was actually Maurice Fleuret, the man in charge of the music portfolio at the Ministry of Culture, who came up with the idea for the event after coming across a report in 1982 revealing that 5 million people in France - half of them young - owned a musical instrument. Fleuret had a sudden brainwave. What if all 5 million musicians, amateurs and professionals alike, were to take to the streets on the same date and entertain the public? The idea caught on and just a few months later, on June 21st, the longest day of the year was declared the official Day of Music. The rest is history.

The Fête de la Musique went on to become a national institution in France and, in 1985, with the European Year of Music, the concept was exported abroad for the first time, taking root in London, Rome and Istanbul. Ten years later, a charter for the European Fête de la Musique was even introduced, allowing member states to change the date (Switzerland organises its Fête de la Musique from June 16th to June 18th, for instance), but imposing the principle that the event should be free for all.

This year, for the 25th Fête de la Musique, no less than 104 countries around the world have rallied to the cause. Argentina, staging its very first Fête de la Musique in 2006, has organised a music contest at the Alliance Française in Buenos Aires (June 24th) where the lucky winner will benefit from a five-date tour across the country. Meanwhile, in Mali, at the Cultural Centre in Bamako, music fans will be treated to the première of a new work by Mandé Bossa (a vibrant mix of Malian and Brazilian sounds). In Japan, the Franco-Japanese Institute in Tokyo has put together an eclectic line-up that includes French electro star I : Cube, a tango group and a brass band.

Back in Europe, the Fête de la Musique has proved to be an overwhelming success and 2006 promises to be a bumper year. In Belgium, where the Fête goes on for five entire days (June 21st – June 25th) more than 500 concerts are scheduled this year, including a special tribute to the French singer Lio at the Théâtre Royal in Mons. Meanwhile, across the Channel, in London, a dozen major stages will be erected to host concerts by a wide variety of artists including Dominique A and Lojo at the Institut Français. The British capital will also be organising music workshops and treasure hunts for younger music fans.

The 25th Fête de la Musique will also be an excellent showcase for French talents worldwide. Chic French rock chick Mademoiselle K will be playing seven dates at Alliances Françaises across China while French bands Orange Blossom, Bumcello and Bratsch take Tel Aviv by storm. Ceux Qui Marchent Debout will take to a stage in Beirut, Clotaire K and Vitalic will appear in Tunis, Smooth will perform in Saint-Domingue, La Caution will bring the house down in Caracas and Emily Loizeau is set to play in the Peruvian capital, Lima.

Back in France, where the fun began in 1982, several thousand concerts are due to be staged across the land. Highlights include Pierpoljak (Avignon), Julien Clerc (Roubaix), Marcel et son Orchestre (Pau) and Philippe Katerine (Les Sables d’Olonnes). Vibrant street collective Rue Ketanou will be playing their own version of jailhouse rock, performing at a prison in Saint Martin de Ré.

Meanwhile music fans in Paris will be spoilt for choice, running between gigs in some of the capital's most prestigious venues. Our top tips for La Fête de la Musique 2006 include:

 - La Cour d’Honneur at the Palais Royal where David Sicard (from La Réunion) and Darko Rundek & Cargo Orchestar (from Croatia) share the stage with gravelly-voiced French star Arthur H and upbeat rumba outfit Orchestra Baobab.

- At the Hôtel de Sully, another prestigious heritage site, the line-up includes Malian diva Mamani Keita and the hypnotic tones of world star Susheela Raman.

- The gardens of the Ministère de la Coopération will showcase Francophone artists from around the globe, kicking off with the Cambodian blues star Prach Chhoun, then following on with music from Gérald Toto and innovative sounds from Akli D, a Kabylian musician who draws on Arab-Celtic influences.

The Esplanade in front of the Bibliothèque Nationale de France puts more of a rock spin on things with an extensive line-up featuring the hardcore outfit Second Sex and psychedelic rock group Hushpuppies.

Once again, the Place Denfert Rochereau, in the south of the city, will be showcasing new talents supported by FAIR (the Fond d’Action et Initiative Rock). Things kick off at 8pm with dark, atmospheric rock from Asyl, followed by trendy 'chanson' from Joseph d’Anvers, and upbeat pop from Rhésus before the evening is rounded off with magical vibes from Hocus Pocus, a rap collective featuring a number of excellent live musicians.

But there's no need to head for the French capital to pick up on all the happening sounds: RFI Musique will be bringing you highlights from all the best concerts. As always, June 21st is primarily an occasion for amateurs to take to the streets and grab themselves an audience. And don't forget, a lot of new talents who have emerged in recent years started out honing their skills at free gigs at La Fête de la Musique. Who knows, this year, if you open your own front door, you'll find an m’balax group or a techno DJ who might go on to be one of the hottest new stars of tomorrow? Happy listening whatever you do!