From 19 to 22 September, France was the guest of honour at the Reeperbahn Festival in Hamburg, Germany. The event was inaugurated by the Mayor of Hamburg and Plenipotentiary in charge of Franco-German cultural relations, Peter Tschentscher and the Ambassador of France in Germany, Anne Marie Descôtes, the Director General of the Reeperbahn Festival, Alex Schulz, and the Director General of the French Music Export Bureau, Marc Thonon.
The Reeperbahn Festival, arguably one of the largest events of its kind in Europe, offers 900 events including 600 concerts of pop, rock or electro music over four days, welcoming more than 5,500 professionals from 56 countries and more than 40,000 festival-goers.
The Focus France operation, led by the Export Bureau, presented 55 concerts by 48 French artists or products in France. Julien Doré, L'Impératrice, Nina Attal, Parcels and Kimberose were particularly successful.
It has also enabled 120 French professionals - a record -, music or show producers, publishers, managers, to work with their German and international counterparts at 270 professional meetings.
In addition, 19 French musical personalities participated in round tables and conferences; as many opportunities to repeat our country’s commitment to respect the rights of creators and to highlight the originality and performance of support mechanisms for the sector, recalled this Monday by the Minister of Culture during the presentation of the 2019 budget of the Ministry of Culture, whether in terms of support for creation and support for export, mechanisms that are envied by us overseas.
The festival was also the occasion to award a prize to French musical journalists Belkacem Bahlouli and Julien Jaubert. Belgian artist of Egyptian origin but produced in France Tamino was presented with an Anchor Award by Tony Visconti, producer, among others, David Bowie.
Germany is the third largest music market in the world and the leading export destination for the French music industry, representing more than 30 million euros. No less than 19 singles have achieved Gold or Platinum certification last year demonstrating the remarkable vitality of our music industry across the Rhine.