“What Prospects for ‘Orphan Works’? Reflection on Cultural Goods without Provenance,” University of Geneva, 4–5 February 2021

Abstract

On 4–5 February 2021, an international conference entitled “What Prospects for ‘Orphan Works’? Reflection on Cultural Goods without Provenance” took place, which was organized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) Chair in the International Law of the Protection of Cultural Heritage at the University of Geneva, the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT), and the Foundation Gandur pour l’Art. The conference was held remotely via Zoom. Welcoming speakers and participants, Yves Fluckiger (rector of the University of Geneva) highlighted that the event gathered world-class specialists in the field of art, art history, archeology, law, and economics, who face the problem of orphan works on a daily basis. Short speeches were also presented by Sami Kanaan (the mayor of Geneva), Jean Claude Gandur (Foundation Gandur pour l’Art), Marina Schneider (UNIDROIT), Marc-André Renold (the University of Geneva), and Isabelle Tassignon (Foundation Gandur pour l’Art).