The competition described in this paper "Musiques sans frontieres", was open to amateur musicians of all nationalities and idioms in Belgium. Because music is a universal language, it was hoped that the competition would help promote an intercultural process whereby the interdependence of multicultural groups is recognized. The main objectives were: (1) to reveal to a wide public audience the diversity and richness of Belgium's musical heritage embellished by the contribution of various immigrant communities; (2) to elicit, stimulate, and further the musical expression and creativity inspired by this heritage; (3) to bring together musicians from different branches and backgrounds and, by a fusion of compatible elements, to arrive at new and original musical creations; and (4) to further good amateur musicians. A discussion of the procedures used for the competition is followed by a description of the finalists. The positive reaction of the media to the competition and some follow-up activities (recordings, concerts, directories) are discussed. Five appendices present the rules of the competition, lists of the semi-finalists and finalists from the three competitions (plus their nationalities and types of music), and the jury for the final competition held in June 1988. (JB)