Showbiz News
-
-
-
Loading
Loading
French President Emmanuel Macron has declared that France’s iconic electronic music scene, widely known as French touch, deserves to be officially recognised by UNESCO as part of the world’s intangible cultural heritage.
In a recent radio interview with Fréquence Gaie, Macron praised the genre’s influence and cultural value, and expressed a strong desire for its formal protection and celebration.
“We’re going to do that too,” he said. “I love Germany, you know how pro-European I am. But we don’t have to take lessons from anyone. We are inventors of electro. We have that French touch.”
French electronic music has long been a cornerstone of global club culture, thanks to pioneering acts like Daft Punk, Justice, Air, Cassius, Phoenix, Étienne de Crécy, M83, and Alan Braxe. The genre blends house, disco, and techno influences with slick production and strong melodic hooks, giving rise to a sound that became internationally recognised in the late 1990s and 2000s.
Daft Punk – Credit: AP
Macron’s comments follow the recent recognition of Berlin techno, which was added to UNESCO’s list in 2023. Other musical traditions already listed include Jamaican reggae, Cuban rumba, and Mexican mariachi, all celebrated for their cultural and historic significance.
UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage is intended to protect and preserve “practices, representations, expressions, knowledge and skills that communities recognise as part of their cultural heritage.” Inclusion is not only symbolic but also helps secure support for the preservation and continuation of the tradition.
France already has several entries on the list, including Gwoka, a traditional Guadeloupean form of music, dance and storytelling, and the musical art of French horn players, noted for its distinctive breath control and vibrato.
Macron’s bid for French touch recognition could strengthen the country’s cultural diplomacy, while cementing France’s place in the global history of electronic music. The move has already sparked excitement among music historians and fans alike, many of whom credit France with transforming electronic music into an art form.
Whether or not the application is successful, Macron’s endorsement is a powerful nod to a genre that has shaped modern soundscapes around the world, from the Paris underground to international stages.
