PARIS: Victor Hugo would be appalled to see the ravages inflicted by time, pollution and weather on his beloved Notre Dame, the soaring cathedral that adorns the heart of Paris. The celebrated French novelist wrote The Hunchback of Notre Dame, published in 1831, largely to draw attention to the glories of Gothic architecture, which in his day was often neglected or disfigured by modern additions. Though the French government currently spends two million euros ($2.3 million) a year for maintenance work, the conservation to-do list is growing long. “You realize that (state funds) are not enough.”By his estimate, the bill could come to at least 150 million euros over 30 years. American tourists are particularly enthralled by Hugo’s Quasimodo and other characters in “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”, immortalized in myriad films, plays and musicals.

Source: Manila Times July 06, 2017 03:22 UTC