Paris, February 29, 2012
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| The proposed Orthodox church and Russian cultural center in Paris. |
Delanoë is sure that the project, which proposes the construction of a church crowned with five cupolas and joined to a cultural center by a glass “canopy” will disrupt the harmony of this historical area of Paris. In his opinion, any construction on the banks of the Seine, protected by UNESCO, is impossible without the approval of international experts. He noted that there were more worthy ideas presented in the competition that took the harmony of Paris’s skyline into greater consideration.
“Modern architecture on the banks of the Seine is rare. Such examples as the museum of primitive art and the Institute of the Arab World are excellent proof that only the more creative potential and highest standards allow us to form tomorrow’s heritage,” the mayor said.
Last January, Russia submitted a request for permission to build an Orthodox Church and Russian cultural center on the site of Meteo France, on the banks of the Seine River, not far from the Eifel Tower. The current project was conceived by a group of French and Russian architects, headed by Manual Nunez Yanowsky, from Spain.
Moscow counts on receiving permission for the construction in spring of 2012. According to Russian ambassador to France Alexander Orlov, the cornerstone ceremony may take place this coming autumn.
