Government calls for aid after fire ravages cathedral
PR dla Zagranicy
Nick Hodge
30.10.2014 10:56
The ministry of culture has urged regional authorities in Silesia to file an immediate request for funding after a fire devastated a cathedral in Sosnowiec on Wednesday.
The devastated roof of the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Sosnowiec. Photo: PAP/Andrzej Grygiel
Spokesman for the ministry Maciej Babynski said that the current wave of grants is “ongoing” but that the deadline for submissions is 31 October.
Flames tore through the roof of the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Photo: PAP/Andrzej Grygiel
Besides the collapse of the roof, including one of cathedral's towers, wall paintings from the 1890s by celebrated artists Wlodzimierz Tetmajer and Henryk Uziemblo were also damaged in the blaze.
“The cathedral is the pearl of the city's landmarks,” lamented parish priest Father Jan Gaik.
“It's a terrible thing to watch a burning church and the collapse of a tower.”
The damage is all the more painful, as a number of conservation projects had recently been carried out in the cathedral.
Although the Regional Conservator of Silesia is entitled to apply for a grant from the Ministry if Culture, local authorities have already pledged to contribute to the restoration.
The cause of Wednesday's fire remains unknown. (nh)
Source: PAP