La Folle Journée was created by René Martin in the port town of Nantes in northwestern France. This music festival is characterized by a unique concept—one that shatters the commonly held image of classical music. Each year a different composer or genre is chosen as the theme of the festival. Throughout the festival period, multiple concerts are held simultaneously in a variety of venues from morning till night, each of approximately forty-five minutes in length.

The name La Folle Journée “Days of Enthusiasm” tells you everything you need to know about the festival: it is an exciting, full-of-surprises, treasure trove of classical music. Since its beginnings in Nantes, the festival has been brought to many other parts of the world, and since 2005 La Folle Journée au Japon “Days of Enthusiasm” Music Festival (LFJ) has enlivened the Tokyo International Forum and the Marunouchi vicinity each “Golden Week”. Imbued with highly original event planning and fun programs every year, the festival continues to evolve, and indeed to cause a sensation in the classical music world.