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Negdje između click bait senzacionalizma i nevjerice da je moglo nestati nešto što je tu „oduvijek i zauvijek“, promiče olakšavajuća spoznaja da ipak nije došlo do najgorega. „Samo“ su izgorjeli krov i treći toranj-„šiljak“ (la flèche) legendarne Notre Dame. Osim toga, zacijelo se i mnoštvo vrijednih umjetnina „nagutalo“ dima i vode, ali OK, to nije nužno nešto što konzervatorske službe jedne Francuske ne bi mogle riješiti, ili nešto što ova 850 godina stara crkva-simbol nije već doživjela.
Tako nas cijeli događaj navodi na zaključak – nismo mi umalo izgubili Notre Dame, nego Notre Dame, čini se, gubi nas. Da, jauknuli smo na dramatične prizore veličanstvene bazilike u plamenu. No, objektivno, što je nama baština danas? Izgleda da ponajprije – kulisa za selfije.
Eto nam npr. hrvatskog turizma. U kojem ga smjeru razvijamo? Smjeru „filanja“ Dioklecijanove palače fast-foodovima, štekatima i kičavim living history igrokazima. Nije li to požar? Smjeru ispuštanja otpadnih voda u Plitvička jezera. Nije li i to požar, doduše na vodi? Pretvaranjem Parka prirode Medvednica, ali i drugih vrijednih šumskih krajolika, iz gorja u goleti? Opet požar, a bez da je jedna iskra frcnula.
À propos šuma: krovnu konstrukciju Notre Dame čini najmanje 3000 kubika hrastovine. Sudeći prema izjavi koju je za Le Monde dao jedan od predstavnika tamošnje drvne industrije, pitanje je ima li Francuska uopće dovoljno hrastovine dorasle da ponese novi krov Notre Dame!
Prati li ovakve „sitnice“ itko u hrvatskoj poslovnoj, kulturnoj i turističkoj diplomaciji? Je li naša politika – pitanje je, jasno, retoričko – sposobna za išta više od srcedrapajućih izljeva sućuti na društvenim mrežama i jalovih rasprava o nacionalnom brendiranju?
Tri tisuće kubika, kažete? Pa samo Šumarija Gunja godišnje proizvede oko 10.000 kubika prvoklasne građe!
Sad još „samo“ zamislite da nadležne institucije zbroje dva i dva! Pa zamislite da Hrvatska/Hrvatske šume doniraju – ili samo ponude donaciju – hrastovine za novo krovište Notre Dame (a nakon što smo ljeto ranije s Francuzima igrali finale SP-a)! U „najgorem“ slučaju, 200-godišnja reklama Slavonije i naše (potencijalne) drvne industrije stajat će nas par milijuna kuna više od jedne sezonske marketing-kampanje ili strategije razvoja.
A sad se probudite. Nas Notre Dame ne gubi. Nas je odavno izgubila.
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First published on our Culsperience FB page (follow it here).
Somewhere between the “click bait” sensationalism and the shock that we could have lost something that was there „always and forever“, relief emerges – it could have been worse. „Only“ the rooftop and the third tower-„arrow“ (la flèche) of the legendary Notre Dame have vanished in flames. Besides that, lots of worthy artworks have probably swallowed smoke and water. But OK, it’s not something French conservation services couldn’t cope with, or something 850 years old landmark hasn’t already experienced before.
This brings us to a conclusion – it’s not about that we have almost lost Notre Dame, but rather about that Notre Dame is losing us. Yes, we moaned over dramatic sight of the marvelous basilica in flames. But, frankly, what is heritage to contemporary society? It seems that primarily – just a “selfie” scenery.
Let’s take a look at Croatian tourism, for example. In which direction are we developing it? Towards filling UNESCO protected Split Diocletian’s Palace with snack bars, terraces, and kitschy “living history” plays. Isn’t that a fire? Towards polluting UNESCO protected Plitvice lakes with wastewater. Isn’t that a fire, although on a water? Towards turning Medvednica Nature Park, and other valuable woodland landscapes, from forests into barren-land. Fire again, although without a single spark.
As for the forests: Notre Dame’s roof construction was made out of at least 3.000 cubic meters of oak. Judging by a statement that representative of French timber industry gave to Le Monde, a question occurs – does France even have enough of high-quality oak needed for a reconstruction?
A question occurs to us as well: is there anyone in Croatian business, culture, and tourist diplomacy following the situation? Are Croatian politicians – the question is, of course, rhetorical – capable of anything else except for sentimental Social Media posts, and vain discussions about national branding?
Three thousand meters, you say? In Spačva basin (region of Slavonia-Srijem), the Gunja Forestry alone produces ca. 10.000 cubic meters of high-quality oak timber per year.
Now imagine sharp Croatian institutions and public firms coming across an idea! Republic of Croatia / Croatian Forestry Ltd. will donate – or just offer to donate – oak for a new Notre Dame roof (just 10 months after we played World Cup Finals with France)! “Worst case” scenario, 200 years of promoting Slavonia and Croatian timber industry will cost us a couple of million kunas more than a seasonal marketing-campaign or strategic plan.
Now wake up. Notre Dame isn’t losing us. She has lost us long time ago.
Luka Jakopčić
