Only 9% of millions pledged for Notre-Dame handed over
The First Art Newspaper on the Net    Established in 1996 Tuesday, December 24, 2024


Only 9% of millions pledged for Notre-Dame handed over
This aerial picture taken on June 12, 2019 in the French capital Paris shows the Notre Dame de Paris cathedral under repair after it was badly damaged by a huge fire on April 15. Lionel BONAVENTURE / AFP.

by Jean-Louis De La Vaissiere / Fiachra Gibbons



PARIS (AFP).- Less than a tenth of the hundreds of millions promised to help rebuild Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris has been donated, the French culture ministry said Friday.

Only 80 million euros of the 850 ($955 million) pledged to reconstruct the iconic monument has been handed over -- and most of that has come in small sums given by ordinary people.

Two of France's richest men, fashion moguls Bernard Arnault and Francois-Henri Pinault, were quick to promise 300 million euros between them after the medieval landmark was devastated by a fire which shocked the world two months ago.

The cathedral's vaulted roof "could still collapse" at any moment, Culture Minister Franck Riester warned Friday as he confirmed the slow pace at which pledges were turning into cash.

The Bettencourt family, who own the cosmetics giant L'Oreal, also said they would put 200 million euros into the pot.

But Riester said the total so far has come from small donations.

Last month, the Archbishop of Paris, Michel Aupetit, raised concerns about the pledges, saying that "the greater part of these donations have not yet materialised".

Cathedral in 'fragile state'
The minister told France radio the huge shortfall as it stands was due to two factors.

"First, you might have people who promised to give but who in the end won't," he said.

"But mostly -- and this is normal -- is that the donations will be handed over as the work advances."

His ministry stressed that the biggest donors want to know when and how their money will be spent.

Riester said his officials were working with the major donors and the four French foundations which launched appeals for Notre-Dame.

He insisted that despite one of the four foundations suspending their appeal last month, "the wave of generosity should continue. Clearly donations are welcome.

"Notre-Dame is still in a fragile state, particularly the vaulted roof which has not yet be secured" and "which could still collapse", Riester added.

His comments come as the first mass will be held in the cathedral on Saturday since it lost most of its roof and spire in the blaze on April 15.

The work to shore up the 12th-century edifice is likely to take several more weeks before the complex studies on the restoration work can be undertaken.

Only 30 people -- half of them clergy -- will be allowed into Notre-Dame for Saturday's service, which will be broadcast live on Catholic TV channel KTO.

Archbishop Aupetit will lead the mass in the Chapel of the Virgin on the east side of the cathedral, which has been confirmed to be safe.

© Agence France-Presse










Today's News

June 15, 2019

Art expert stakes reputation on 'lost' $170 million Caravaggio

Old Masters rare at auction

Berlin Jewish Museum head quits after controversial tweet

Hauser & Wirth to open an arts centre on Menorca

Only 9% of millions pledged for Notre-Dame handed over

Phillips announces highlights from the London Sales of 20th Century & Contemporary Art

Muhammad Ali's autographed gold glove fails to sell at Turin auction

Exhibition at Foam unites ten years of Alex Prager's photographic and film works

Latvian National Museum of Art opens an exhibition of works by artist Hilda Vīka

Wide-ranging exhibition reveals how three generations of artists revolutionized the arts in Britain

First major retrospective of Paula Rego's work in England for over 20 years opens at MK Gallery

Silent Beauty invites you to admire the interplay of visual arts, ceramics and kimonos

The Barber Institute celebrates Cassiano dal Pozzo's remarkable contribution to art and science

Louisiana Museum of Modern Art opens an exhibition of works by Birgit Jürgenssen

The World Trade Center celebrates NYC Pride 2019 with public "Live 4 Love" art installation

John Bock develops a new project for Neuer Berliner Kunstverein

Solo exhibition by designer Ella Doran follows the journey of wool at Yorkshire Sculpture Park

The art of money: New Paris museum puts economy centre stage

A champion's collection to be offered at Freeman's

The art auction boom in figures

When the world stopped to watch Armstrong's moonwalk

João Laia nominated as a new chief curator of exhibitions at Kiasma

Almodovar to get Venice film festival lifetime award

VAT refund Claim under UAE VAT

Buy followers on Instagram easily

Pro Tips for Hiring the Best Air Conditioning HVAC Technician




Museums, Exhibits, Artists, Milestones, Digital Art, Architecture, Photography,
Photographers, Special Photos, Special Reports, Featured Stories, Auctions, Art Fairs,
Anecdotes, Art Quiz, Education, Mythology, 3D Images, Last Week, .

 



Founder:
Ignacio Villarreal
(1941 - 2019)
Editor & Publisher: Jose Villarreal
(52 8110667640)

Art Director: Juan José Sepúlveda Ramírez
Writer: Ofelia Zurbia Betancourt

Royalville Communications, Inc
produces:

ignaciovillarreal.org juncodelavega.com facundocabral-elfinal.org
Founder's Site. Hommage
to a Mexican poet.
Hommage
       

The First Art Newspaper on the Net. The Best Versions Of Ave Maria Song Junco de la Vega Site Ignacio Villarreal Site
Tell a Friend
Dear User, please complete the form below in order to recommend the Artdaily newsletter to someone you know.
Please complete all fields marked *.
Sending Mail
Sending Successful