Featured Image: Laure Petrucci / Wikimedia Commons
Greece was among the first nations to express solidarity with the French people and government and has offered them assistance to repair fire damage to Notre-Dame Cathedral.
The Greek Culture Ministry announced that the country will provide academic experts and skilled technicians from its own restoration projects if help is needed.
The ministry has extensive experience with major conservation and restoration works on Greece’s ancient and mediaeval monuments.
These include a decades-long program on the Acropolis of Athens, whose 2,500-year-old marble temples and other monumental buildings were badly damaged over the centuries by fire, explosions and warfare.
Nearly $1 billion has already been raised by billionaires, everyday Catholics and others around the world to repair the fire-ravaged cathedral, which draws 13 million visitors per year.
A statement by Greek Culture Minister Myrsini Zorba expressed deep sorrow for the Notre-Dame blaze.
“The destruction of a monument of world cultural heritage is a huge loss. We participate in the pain of the French people,” Zorba said. “We saw the destruction of a monument that was a reference not only to French citizens in their everyday lives but also to millions of visitors.”
Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras tweeted his solidarity with French counterpart Emmanuel Macron and his country’s people.
“We are deeply saddened by the news of the fire of Notre Dame. It is not only a national disaster for France, but also a serious loss for the world’s cultural heritage. Emmanuel Macron, we stand by your side,” Tsipras tweeted.
