By AA Patawaran
Nobody values – and understands – legacy like the French.
Which is why, even as the Notre-Dame Cathedral burned, two French houses built on the very same ethos of legacy and reverence to heritage and culture, pledged 300 million euros for its rebuilding.
In a statement posted on Twitter, Francois Henri Pinault, chair of Kering, which owns, among others Gucci and YSL, and who also leads Groupe Artémis, owner of fine arts auction house Christie's, wrote: “My father and I have decided to release as of now from the funds of Artemis a sum of 100 million euros to participate in the effort that will be necessary for the complete reconstruction of Notre-Dame.”
A few moments later, the LVMH Group posted a statement on its own Twitter account, doubling the initial pledge of Kering.
“In the wake of this national tragedy, the Arnault family and the LVMH Group pledge their support for #NotreDame. They will donate a total of 200 million euros to the fund for reconstruction of this architectural work, which is an integral part of the history of France.”
French President Emmanuel Macron has said that he will launch a national fundraising campaign to rebuild the centuries-old cathedral, which was in the process of being renovated due to water damage.
“We will rebuild,” Macron said. “We will rebuild Notre-Dame because this is what the French expect, because this is what our history deserves, because it is our destiny.”