Over 323,000 people have signed a petition in opposition to recent stained-glass window designs for Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris.
The historic cathedral was devastated by a hearth in 2019, the reason behind which stays undetermined, although the authorities have consistently ruled out claims that it was arson or a deliberate attack.
Following extensive reconstruction, Notre-Dame was reopened to the general public in December of last yr.
The cathedral’s stained-glass windows, which date back to the nineteenth century and were the work of architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, were actually undamaged in the fireplace.
Despite this, French President Emmanuel Macron made it a private mission to switch the windows with designs depicting the events of Pentecost by Claire Tabouret. The Church authorities and Archbishop of Paris, Laurent Ulrich, are also supportive of the multimillion euro project.
Tabouret’s work went on display on the Grand Palais and is attributable to be installed within the cathedral next yr.
An online petition, launched by La Tribune de l’Art, denounces the planned changes, saying, “The president of the republic has selected his own, with none regard for the heritage law or Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, to switch the stained glass windows.”
The petition also asks, “How can it’s justified to revive stained glass windows that survived the disaster after which immediately remove them? … Who gave the pinnacle of state a mandate to change a cathedral that doesn’t belong to him, but to everyone?”
The petition has thus far gathered over 323,000 signatures.
In response to the criticism, Tabouret told Radio France, “I need to offer the general public the possibility to form their very own opinion, because when there’s controversy, there are also a variety of rumours.”
While Macron has not yet commented on the petition, his advocacy for a “contemporary gesture” and for making a “twenty first century mark” on Notre-Dame in its restoration goes back a lot of years, despite opposition from bodies just like the National Heritage and Architecture Commission.
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