French President Emmanuel Macron is pushing for 'French Touch' electronic music to be recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage—putting it on par with Berlin techno, Jamaican reggae, and Irish harp traditions.
In a recent interview, French President Emmanuel Macron called for the inclusion of French electronic music—popularly known as French Touch—on UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage.
Highlighting its global influence and historical roots, Macron emphasized that France, with pioneers like Daft Punk and Étienne de Crécy, deserves international recognition as the birthplace of electro.
UNESCO’s cultural heritage list celebrates expressions and practices considered vital to a community’s identity.
France has already secured spots for the baguette, the perfumes of Grasse, and traditional music from its overseas territories such as gwoka from Guadeloupe and maloya from Réunion Island.
Inspired by Germany’s move to add Berlin techno to its national registry in 2023, Macron’s push reflects growing acknowledgment of electronic music’s cultural depth.
The French Touch movement was born in the 1990s and blended house, disco, electro, and jazz influences — producing global hits from acts like Daft Punk, AIR, Cassius, and Justice.
Should UNESCO approve the nomination, many fans will no doubt be hoping for a symbolic comeback from Daft Punk to celebrate. As Macron’s vision gains traction, one thing is clear: French Touch is more than a sound—it's a cultural legacy.
Read next
09:30
China-Central Asia summit
The second China-Central Asia Summit commenced today (16 June) in Kazakhstan’s capital, marking a pivotal moment in deepening political and economic ties between China and the five Central Asian states: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
04:00
Baku piano festival
Azerbaijan's capital of Baku will become a focal point of the international music scene from the 14 to the 28 June as it hosts the 4th Baku Piano Festival.
11:00
One of J.M.W. Turner's earliest oil paintings, lost for over 150 years, has resurfaced and is set to be auctioned for up to £300,000 in London.
13:00
Disney is cutting several hundred more jobs across its global operations, targeting departments like film, TV, and finance, as it continues to streamline costs in a rapidly evolving media landscape.
14:11
A celebration of Turkish cuisine and friendship took place in Karachi on Sunday as the Turkish Consulate hosted a World Breakfast Day event, sharing traditional flavours with a distinguished Pakistani audience.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment