Cultural expressions are creative manifestations of the cultural identities of their authors. They are treated in the international legal system in terms of cultural rights, intellectual property law and international trade.
Definition The objective of the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural ExpressionsUNESCO, October 20, 2005 [2005 Convention]. is, as its title indicates, to protect and promote the diversity of cultural expressions.2005 Convention, art. 1 a), e). The achievement of such objectives requires respect for all cultures, the reaffirmation of the cultural sovereignty of states, the recognition of the dual nature of cultural goods and services (as having both economic and cultural value), and the rebalancing of cultural exchanges through the strengthening of international cooperation and solidarity measures.2005 Convention, art. 2 (2), (3) and (4).
The concept of cultural expression is central to the 2005 Convention,Ivan, BERNIER, « La Convention sur la diversité des expressions culturelles de l'UNESCO : un instrument culturel au carrefour du droit et de la politique », (2008), p. 4. which provides a definition:Cultural expressions are those expressions which result from the creativity of individuals, groups and societies, and which have a cultural content.2005 Convention, art. 4 (3).The definition of cultural expression emphasizes content over the means and modes of cultural expression.Daniel TURP, La contribution du droit international au maintien de la diversité culturelle, 2012, 363 Recueil des cours 333, p. 365. It can be read in conjunction with two other definitions, that of cultural content and that of cultural activities, goods and services:Cultural content refers to the symbolic meaning, artistic dimension and cultural values that originate from or express cultural identities. Cultural activities, goods and services refers to those activities, goods and services that, when considered from the point of view of their specific quality, use or purpose, embody or convey cultural expressions, irrespective of the commercial value they may have. Cultural activities may be an end in themselves, or they may contribute to the production of cultural goods and services.2005 Convention, art. 4.Thus, expressions are cultural to the extent that they carry meaning, value and identity and can be conveyed, expressed, through cultural activities, goods or services. They can come from individuals, groups or societies.Sabine VON SCHORLEMER, Peter-Tobias STOLL (dir.), The UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, Explanatory Notes, Dresden, Allemagne, Springer, 2012, p. 153.
Activities, goods or services have a dual economic and cultural value.Katerina STENOU, L'UNESCO et la question de la diversité culturelle : Bilan et stratégies, 1946–2007, Étude réalisée à partir d'un choix de documents officiels, Division des politiques culturelles du dialogue interculturel, UNESCO, 2007, p. 65, en ligne : https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000154341?posInSet=1&queryId=72b20737-f9fe-43a3-bdbe-8b436724e753 [archive]. The cultural and economic aspects are interdependent; they both contribute to the existence, development and preservation of diversity.
To identify the scope of what constitutes cultural goods and services, one can refer to the non-exhaustive list annexed to the Preliminary Draft of the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, published in 2004.UNESCO, Avant-projet de Convention sur la protection de la diversité des contenus culturels et des expressions artistiques, texte révisé par le comité de rédaction en date du 14-17 décembre 2004, Paris, CLT/CPD/2004/ CONF.607/6 (2004), Annexe 1 : Liste non exhaustive des biens et services culturels, p. 111, en ligne : http://www.unesco.org/culture/culturaldiversity/docs_pre_2007/clt_cpd_2004_conf_607_6_fr.pdf [archive]
Here are some examples of cultural expressions:
Literature, film, music, media and visual arts;Sabine VON SCHORLEMER, Peter-Tobias STOLL (dir.), The UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, Explanatory Notes, Dresden, Allemagne, Springer, 2012, p. 122. Live arts, performing arts (theater); Photography and video games, especially those with narrative content. Video games with narrative content can be included as a form of language, a variation of the term expression.Lilian Richieri HANANIA, Diversité culturelle et droit international du commerce, La Documentation française, éd. coll. Monde européen et international, CERIC, Paris, 2009, p. 3.
As permitted by the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties,23 mai 1969, 1 155 R.T.N.U., 331, entrée en vigueur le 27 janvier 1980, art. 31, 32. the notion of cultural expressions is further defined by state practice and use of the term. In the context of the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, this practice is reflected in the quadrennial reports produced by the parties.Morgan ISSENMAN, L'ambiguïté du concept d'expressions culturelles, Mémoire de maîtrise, sous la direction de Véronique Guèvremont, Université Laval, coll. travaux étudiants, teseopress.com, travail non daté.
In the digital environment, cultural expressions are interpreted in the same way.Directives opérationnelles sur la mise en œuvre de la Convention dans l'environnement numérique, approuvées par la Conférence des Parties lors de sa sixième session (Paris, 12-15 juin 2017). They are also endowed with cultural content and carry a double value, cultural and economic. The digital environment can serve as a catalyst for dissemination and production, offering new forms of cultural expression,Katerina STENOU, L'UNESCO et la question de la diversité culturelle : Bilan et stratégies, 1946–2007, Étude réalisée à partir d'un choix de documents officiels, Division des politiques culturelles du dialogue interculturel, UNESCO, 2007, p. 61, 62, en ligne : https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000154341?posInSet=1&queryId=72b20737-f9fe-43a3-bdbe-8b436724e753 [archive]. but it also represents a challenge for the diversity of cultural expressions.
The cultural covered by the 2005 Convention may be linked to some forms of traditional cultural expressionsConvention de 2005, par. 8, 15 du préambule, art. 2.3, 7.1 a but the latter are subject to their own rules. More generally, the preservation of cultural heritage, traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions is covered by other UNESCO conventions.Convention pour la sauvegarde du patrimoine culturel immatériel, 17 octobre 2003, UNESCO; Convention concernant la protection du patrimoine mondial, culturel et naturel, 16 novembre 1972, UNESCO. With respect to the cultural expressions of indigenous peoples, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples« Déclaration des Nations Unies sur les Droits des Peuples Autochtones » [archive], sur www.un.org (consulté le 8 juin 2020) specifically mentions the right of indigenous peoples to preserve, control, protect and develop their cultural heritage, knowledge and traditional expressions, as well as their right to collective intellectual property.Déclaration des Nations Unies sur les droits des peuples autochtones, 13 septembre 2007, R.T.N.U. The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has established a number of conventions on the protection of traditional cultural expressions. The World Intellectual Property Organization is continuing its work on a convention to recognize intellectual property rights in traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions.OMPI, Comité intergouvernemental de la propriété intellectuelle relative aux ressources génétiques, aux savoirs traditionnels et au folklore, La protection des expressions culturelles traditionnelles : projets d'articles, WIPO/GRTKF/IC/40/5 (9 avril 2019), en ligne : https://www.wipo.int/edocs/mdocs/tk/fr/wipo_grtkf_ic_40/wipo_grtkf_ic_40_5.pdf [archive].
The emergence of the concept of cultural expressions within UNESCO
UNESCO's work on cultural diversity To understand the concept of diversity of cultural expressions, we can look at the concept of cultural diversity. The notion of cultural diversity is multifaceted and has been the subject of UNESCO's work since its inception.Katerina STENOU, L'UNESCO et la question de la diversité culturelle : Bilan et stratégies, 1946–2007, Étude réalisée à partir d'un choix de documents officiels, Division des politiques culturelles du dialogue interculturel, UNESCO, 2007 https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000154341?posInSet=1&queryId=72b20737-f9fe-43a3-bdbe-8b436724e753 [archive].
The UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity2 novembre 2001, UNESCO. elevates the concept of cultural diversity to the status of common heritage of humanity in its very first article:Culture takes diverse forms across time and space. This diversity is embodied in the originality and plurality of identities that characterize the groups and societies that make up humanity. As a source of exchange, innovation and creativity, cultural diversity is as necessary for humankind as biodiversity is for the living world. In this sense, it constitutes the common heritage of humanity and must be recognized and affirmed for the benefit of present and future generations.Déclaration universelle de l'UNESCO sur la diversité culturelle, art. 1.Although it is non-binding, the Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity has considerable legitimacy and symbolic force because it was adopted unanimously by the member states of UNESCO.Véronique GUÈVREMONT, « Note introductive » dans Regards croisés sur la Convention pour la sauvegarde du patrimoine culturel immatériel et la Convention sur la protection et la promotion de la diversité des expressions culturelles, Véronique GUÈVREMONT, Olivier DELAS (dir.), Québec, Les Presses de l'Université Laval, 2019, p. 2.
The Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage17 octobre 2003, UNESCO. adopted in 2003 reiterates the concept of cultural diversity, this time within a binding legal instrument.
From cultural diversity to the diversity of cultural expressions The diversity of cultural expressions is one aspect of cultural diversity that UNESCO is addressing. Cultural expression is seen as "[a] mode of communication [that] fills a basic need in every community... a key element in the adaptation of different cultures to the transformations imposed by globalization.Ivan, BERNIER, « La Convention sur la diversité des expressions culturelles de l'UNESCO : un instrument culturel au carrefour du droit et de la politique », Québec, Ministère de la culture et des communications, Secrétariat de la diversité culturelle, Publications, 2008, p. 5. The objectives of protecting and promoting the diversity of cultural expressions are part of the organization's mandate.