The flames of Notre-Dame could be a symbol with wider meaning

Watching the cathedral of Notre-Dame in flames felt like the heart of Europe was being ripped out; and with it some of our own hearts too. This tragic event strikes a cultural and humanistic blow from which it will be hard to recover. It could also be a symbol of a wider malaise the answer to which none of us yet know. In the midst of reporting the fire ripping through the cathedral’s heart, there was criticism of poor maintenance due to the levels of funding available and the bureaucracy surrounding such spending. We don’t yet know whether this contributed to the fire or the extent of its effects. But it raises important questions of what our economies can and cannot afford. For decades it has been known that Italy could no longer afford to maintain its almost endless cultural heritage. Some countries, such as the UK and Italy itself, have pursued market-oriented policies by charging for entrance. Even that, while helpful, has not totally resolved the issue, particularly for places of important cultural heritage that are not on the tourist trail. It has also led to the explosion of commercial practices that, in some cases, detract rather than enhance the standing and emotional...