Did you guess this was where I was going, from last week’s photo? Here I am in the heart of Europe—if not geographically then at least spiritually. The Grand Duchy has only 455,000 souls and is perhaps what the European Union is all about: the population is trilingual, determinedly outward-looking, and shares borders with three other countries, two of which are major players in the European arena.

With days at their longest, you know that the annual music festival can’t be far away. There will be music in the air all over France on June 21 for the 26th Fête de la Musique. Come evening in Paris, free concerts in every arrondissement will be yours for the taking. Check out what’s going on in France (and elsewhere in Europe) by looking at www.fetedelamusique.culture.fr, or www.paris.fr for the Paris program. But that’s only half the story—the reason that this special event has taken off is that it’s a free-for-all for any budding musician. Wander the high street of any town and you’ll come across countless impromptu jamming sessions—the artistes may even invite you to join in.