Reading Room #23: How to inscribe cultural property in the present?

A group reading and discussion about the role of the collective in heritage preservation. We gather around excerpts from the text ‘Protéger le patrimoine culturel: à qui incombe la charge?’ by Marie-Sophie de Clippele, specialist in cultural heritage law.

Just as works of art, buildings and sites classified as heritage tend to be governed along criteria of historical interest and conservation logic. Their use value and inscription in the present often remain undiscussed. Even if public authorities intervene in what is considered an absolute property right, the fundamental right to cultural heritage opens possibilities to re-think cultural property regimes and create space for a third player: the collective.

Marie-Sophie de Clippele, specialist in cultural heritage law, developed a theoretical model for a property of shared interest (‘propriété d’intérêt partagé’). We invite you to a collective reading of excerpts from her text ‘Protéger le patrimoine culturel : à qui incombe la charge ?’ (2020).

How to inscribe cultural property in the present?

Taking theory into practice, Clémentine Vaultier opens the door of Jolimont for a reading room. At this castle in transition, on the edge of the Sonian Forest close to Brussels, Vaultier runs the collaborative research Cuire Ensemble Ici. Around the ruin of a ceramic wood kiln, she looks for ways to put the heat into the heritage and orient the pasts towards the future from within the collective.

*At 16h Clémentine Vaultier treats us to a visit to the castle, kiln oven and atelier. The Reading Room starts at 17h.

Text in French, discussions in French and English. Copies will be provided. If you would like to read the text in advance, feel free to send us an email: info@caveat.be.
Caveat's events are free of charge, and everybody is welcome.