Babiš: The government is ready to assist with the restoration of Notre-Dame, including financially

Prague - The Czech government is ready to help France with the restoration of Notre-Dame Cathedral, including financially. However, it is waiting for a decision from the French government regarding the reconstruction process and the organization of a fundraising campaign, wrote CTK Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO). According to Minister of Culture Antonín Staněk (ČSSD), the Czech Republic can offer expert assistance for the restoration of the cathedral, and his office is working on organizing a public fundraising campaign. The fire has already been completely extinguished, reported Paris firefighters shortly before 10:00.

The fire broke out on Monday around 18:50, and the cause is still unknown; it is assumed to be accidental. Approximately five hours after the fire broke out, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that the worst had been avoided and pledged the restoration of the cathedral and the announcement of an international fundraising campaign. Minister of Culture Franck Riester told the LCI station today that a large part of the valuable artistic and liturgical objects was managed to be saved from the burning cathedral.

"The Ministry of Culture is currently addressing the organization or arrangement of a public fundraising campaign. The office itself cannot organize it, but a state contribution organization can do so," Staněk stated. According to him, the law does not prevent the money raised in a special bank account from being transferred abroad. "We are currently discussing specific options with the Ministry of Finance and possibly with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and we will promptly inform the public about the details," noted the minister.

Czech restorers or experts from the Methodical Center for Conservation of the Technical Museum in Brno, who have experience with the repairs of the burned Slovak castle Krásná Horka, could help with the restoration of Notre-Dame, the ministry stated. "At this moment, we are also waiting for a decision from the French side regarding what other specific form of assistance will be needed so that the help is coordinated and meaningful," added Staněk.

The possible offer of assistance from Czech experts was mentioned by Staněk through the ministry's spokesperson Martha Häckl already on Monday. "This is a big blow for France, especially now in the lead-up to Easter," the spokesperson conveyed Staněk's statement. Babiš stated on Twitter that he sent a text message to Macron. "I feel sad when I see those horrific images of the Paris Cathedral of Notre-Dame engulfed in flames," he remarked. Minister of Foreign Affairs Tomáš Petříček (ČSSD) described the event on Twitter as a great tragedy.

Financial assistance has already been offered by billionaire François-Henri Pinault, CEO of the international luxury group Kering, who pledged 100 million euros (2.6 billion CZK) for the restoration of the cathedral. AFP reported today that the Arnault family and their LVMH luxury goods conglomerate will donate 200 million euros (over five billion crowns). The New York-based non-profit organization French Heritage Society, which focuses on protecting French architectural and cultural treasures, launched a website on Monday aimed at raising funds for the restoration of the cathedral.

On the fundraising website GoFundMe, more than 50 campaigns related to supporting the cathedral fire were launched on Monday, said spokeswoman John Coventry.