‘It’s a huge loss for France and the world’: Tina Arena is ‘devastated’ by the Notre Dame cathedral fire that has destroyed priceless artworks – as tragedy strikes her ‘second home’
Australian singer Tina Arena has revealed she is ‘devastated’ by the Notre-Dame de Paris fire that has destroyed many priceless and irreplaceable artworks.
Tragedy struck Tina’s ‘second home’ on Monday when a fire broke out in the roof of the medieval Catholic cathedral, causing considerable damage to the building.
And on Tuesday, the 51-year-old songstress expressed her heartfelt condolences in a statement to Channel Nine’s Today show.
Heartfelt statement: Tina Arena has revealed she is ‘devastated’ by the Notre-Dame de Paris fire that destroyed many priceless and irreplaceable artworks on Monday. Pictured in March
‘The fire at the Notre Dame is devastating. There’s hundreds of years of history burning inside. A number of great works of art have been lost,’ Tina said.
‘Notre Dame is not only a place of worship but also a symbol of literature. It’s a huge loss for France and the world.’
On Monday evening, the Parisian landmark went up in flames, leaving the city, France and the international community distraught.
Tragedy: Tragedy struck Tina’s ‘second home’ on Monday evening when a fire broke out in the roof of the Notre-Dame de Paris, causing considerable damage to the building
Flames that began shortly before 6:50pm local time burst through the roof of the centuries-old cathedral and engulfed the spire, which collapsed, quickly followed by the entire roof.
Tina has a strong connection to France going back many years.
In 2002, the songstress fled to Paris to heal following a difficult divorce from her manager Ralph Carr.
Since relocating, the singer has sold millions of records in France and even starred in a production of the musical ‘Notre Dame de Paris’.
Starting fresh: Tina (pictured with her long-term partner, French-born Vincent Mancini) has a strong connection to France, a place she describes as her ‘second home’
Tina’s debut French language album, Un autre univers, was released in December 2005, and reached platinum status the following year.
Her single, Aimer jusqu’à l’impossible, also peaked at No. 9 on the French charts and remained there for an impressive 78 weeks.
Tina is the first Australian ever to receive the National Order of Merit, the equivalent to a French knighthood, for her contributions to French culture.
International success: Tina’s debut French language album, Un autre univers, was released in December 2005, and reached platinum status the following year
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