Notre Dame burns down

A pro-government commentator interprets the destruction of Notre Dame as an allegory for the decline of European Christianity. A left-wing columnist, on the other hand, thinks that Notre Dame was a symbol of a common European culture and identity.

Magyar Idők’s Zsolt Bayer interprets the burning down of Notre Dame as a metaphor for the state of European Christianity. The pro-government pundit suggests that the doom of the Paris cathedral in Easter week reflects what he describes as the ongoing demolition of European culture and the loss of European identity. Bayer accuses the liberal and atheist French government of not renovating Notre Dame in time, but rather spending money on other objectives, including the integration of migrants. In light of this, Bayer thinks that the destruction of Notre Dame is a wake up call for all Christians in Europe.

In Népszava, Miklós Hargitai thinks that the mourning for Notre Dame right across the political spectrum indicates that there is indeed a common European identity. The left-wing columnist finds it strange that Prime Minister Orbán insists that European identity cannot replace national and religious identities, when all Europeans feel so deeply towards the burnt down Paris cathedral. This also shows, Hargitai adds, that national and religious symbols are also part of a common European culture.

Tags: Christianity, Europe