French clubs granted "cultural status" as part of new legislation

Earlier this month (April 2), France's Minister of Culture, Rachida Dati met with representatives of the nightlife union Culture Nuit to announce the news that clubs in France will be granted "acteurs culurels" status.

Meaning 'Cultural actors' in English, "acteurs culurels" is a form of formal recognition granted to powers of meaningful cultural influence such as musicians, dancers, filmmakers, producers, events, spaces and libraries.

Dati shared the news on Twitter, adding that the recognition should result in the improvement and development of operating conditions for nightlife establishments.

"It is important to recognise clubs and discotheques as popular cultural actors", the minister said.

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Culture Nuit, established in 1952, is a collective of clubs, bars, events and third spaces dedicated to supporting nightlife in France that have long since campaigned for French clubs to receive cultural status.

Culture Nuit first crossed paths with Dati in 2021, after spearheading the 'Club-culture' movement.

'Club-culture' was launched in response to a mass of club closures following the pandemic, highlighting the lack of support for nightlife venues from the government.

Three years ago the movement resulted in a meeting with the minister of culture, Rachael Dati, who made plans to reach a verdict that would later grant clubs the status of vital cultural entities.

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Nightlife union Culture Nuit celebrated news of the new legislation via Instagram, writing that it had been one of their 'main goals' and thanking Dati.

The goal is one of four current ambitions from the union, including making the collection and distribution of electronic music rights fairer, preventing risks and closures and improving training for security.

Thanks to this recognition, clubs and electronic music will be considered for cultural initiatives in France, further details of which are yet to be announced.

This March (13), Techno was granted UNESCO cultural heritage in Berlin, following a campaign to protect its status. The decision is hoped to bring social and economic advantages for clubs in Berlin but was not met without controversy due to the genre's origins in Detroit.

Check out Culture Nuit's Instagram post below.

Belle Richardson is Mixmag's Digital Intern, follow her on Twitter.