A contemporary exploration of French culture and society: First meeting at the Maison de la Chimie
On December 3, 2024, at the Maison de la Chimie, Paris hosted the first Culture et Société conference, an event organized by influential figures from the cultural and academic worlds, with the support of Amazon and Google France. The day's discussions and debates highlighted the transformations taking place in cultural practices, the challenges of financing them, and the innovations needed to guarantee their influence in the digital age.
Opening keynote: The French and culture in the digital age
CNRS sociologist Hervé Glevarec set the tone with a captivating talk. He traced the evolution of French cultural practices, marked by a shift towards home consumption of content, accelerated by digital expansion. While digital technology is empowering individuals through targeted consumption, it is also calling attention to emotion and knowledge, now at the heart of cultural experiences.
Accessible culture: a dream within reach?
The first round table, chaired by Belkhir Belhaddad, addressed a crucial question: how to make culture accessible in all territories?
Patrick Chenu, director of MJC de France, argued in favor of supporting young people in organizing local cultural events, underlining the vital role of MJCs as educational refuges. Frédéric Duval of Amazon France, meanwhile, stressed the need to adapt digital solutions to overcome geographical and economic obstacles, such as the cost of postage in rural areas.
AI, an ally or a threat to creation?
Artificial intelligence, a hot topic, was explored during the second round table. Alexandra Bensamoun insisted on the importance of preserving the singularity of works in a world where machines now play a part in creation. Transparency and traceability are emerging as necessary pillars to guarantee an ethical future that respects authors' rights.
The headache of cultural financing
Erwan Balanant delivered a striking statistic: cultural GDP in France surpasses that of the automobile and pharmaceutical industries, but budgets remain complex to allocate. In this context, festivals such as the one in Clermont-Ferrand demonstrate the impact of structured financial support in preserving innovation and cultural access.
French culture: redefining its influence
The last session highlighted contemporary challenges for the international influence of French culture. With the Congo being the largest French-speaking territory in the world, participants emphasized the importance of respectful, collaborative cultural diplomacy. Marie-Christine Saragosse emphasized the essential role of the French media in this universal mission.
Looking to the future
This day of exchanges demonstrated that French culture is at a crossroads: between adapting to new technologies and respecting its traditional values. The challenges are many, but the solutions, inspired by open dialogue between public and private players, point to a promising future.
With this first edition, Culture et Société has established itself as an essential platform for rethinking access, financing and cultural outreach in a constantly evolving world.
Article by Johanne Elie Ernest Ngo Mbelek aka Jombelek.
Paris (France), Wednesday December 4, 2024.
