Two and a half years after a fire severely damaged Paris’ Notre Dame Cathedral, grief has turned into anger and outrage at the recently-drafted restoration plans.
After flames wreaked havoc for 15 hours on April 15, 2019, the world came together in tragedy.
Within days companies, institutions and individuals had donated or pledged 845 million euros - equivalent to about $950 million - to restore the historic architectural feat, according to a Sept. 18 New York Times article.
Following the fire, French President Emmanuel Macron announced Notre Dame would be restored in time for the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics.
The Notre Dame Cathedral began construction in 1163 and opened its doors in 1345; the monument is known for being among the finest examples of French Gothic architecture.
Yet, there have been increasing suggestions to add contemporary designs to the reconstruction, disrupting nearly a thousand years of history.
Last year, Macron suggested a contemporary spire to replace the original but was quickly and rightfully met with opposition.
Many united over restoration, but the restoration has turned into redesign.
Gothic architecture largely identified the monument. If the officials in charge of this project choose to go through with the redesigns they are defying decades if not centuries of conservatorship in art, history and architecture.
Modern day Europe can’t escape its history, largely because much of it still remains.
France, which is still predominantly Catholic, should not have their symbol of faith turned into a bigger tourist destination.
About 80% of French citizens identify themselves as Roman Catholic, according to a July 1, 2001 Brookings Institution article.
The Brookings Institution is a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington D.C., according to its About Us webpage.
However, historian and writer Michael Pastoreau said instead of leaving Notre Dame as it was, the other option is to expel the faithful to make room for tourists, according to an April 15, 2020 La Croix article.
La Croix is a French-language Roman Catholic publication based in Paris.
He told La Croix, "To do this, we would have to deconsecrate Notre Dame and transform it into a museum."
As if France doesn’t have enough museums.
Archbishop Michel Aupetit of Paris said the interior changes would “bring the cathedral into the 21st century.”
But in the case of architecture, new is not always better.
The cement blocks and cookie-cutter repeats we call modern architecture cannot compete with Notre Dame, or any of Europe’s architectural past.
However, it’s not just the outside renovations, including the new roof and spire, that are at the center of the public’s dismay.
According to a Nov. 19 article in The Western Journal, the interior would include a “discovery trail” of 14 chapels emphasizing Asia and Africa. Biblical quotes would be projected on the walls in different languages.
Classical sculptures, confessional boxes and altars would be replaced with modern art featuring light and sound effects to provide an “emotional space.”
Ironically, the original architecture was already designed to evoke emotion and nurture spirituality.
Maurice Culot, a well-known French architect, told The Western Journal on Nov. 19, “It’s as if Disney were entering Notre Dame . . . It’s a kind of theme park and very childish and trivial given the grandeur of the place.”
Notre Dame needs to remain true to itself and its history.
The cathedral was constructed to provide a common home for people of faith and anyone else who found themselves under the stained glass.
While its roots are undeniably French and Catholic, the doors to Notre Dame as a cathedral are open to all and can continue to be without turning into a reimagined, overtly all-inclusive museum for the modern day tourist.
