After the promise by French president Emmanuel Macron to rebuild Notre-Dame within five years, big names such as Apple, L'Oréal, Chanel and Dior have all chipped in to a fund so far totalling a billion dollars. Hungarians have also showed themselves more than willing to be involved.
In a letter sent to Anne Hidalgo, his Parisian counterpart, mayor István Tarlós said that Budapest will contribute to the reconstruction of Notre-Dame and will do everything possible to help restore the building: “Notre-Dame is an important symbol to us all and an important element of universal Christian faith and culture. With Easter approaching… unity and cohesion carry an even more important message”.
Without specifying the amount involved, he went on to express that his was not a political motive, but a spiritual one.
Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó emphasised that Hungary is always ready to aid Christians in need, and will naturally help the reconstruction. Besides financial help, Hungary offers the work of its experts for the renovation: “We feel sympathy for our French friends when looking at the painful series of images from Paris. Notre-Dame is an important religious and cultural Christian symbol for us all”.
Earlier this week, Szeged offered €10.000 for the reconstruction of Notre-Dame. After the southern city was deluged by floods in 1879, Paris came to its aid. Now Szeged is repaying the favour in the spirit of European solidarity. Another historic Hungarian city, Székesfehévrár, has also offered €10.000, while the Federation of Hungarian Jewish Communities is now collecting donations.
The US-based Friends of Notre-Dame has also set up its own donation drive.
