While modern buildings are severely lacking in grotesque ornamentation like gargoyles, there is an opportunity for you to “adopt” one at the famed Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France. If you’re a fan of Disney’s “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” this is a great way to pay homage to the movie… and help save a historic structure. Here’s what you need to know!
Victor, Hugo, and Laverne
In Disney’s 1996 animated musical “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” the lonely Quasimodo (voiced by Tom Hulce) is befriended by three of the cathedral’s stone statues: Victor (voiced by Charles Kimbrough), Hugo (voiced by Jason Alexander), and Laverne (voiced by Mary Wickes).
Having the gargoyles of Notre Dame serve as comedic friends and confidantes of Quasimodo in the Disney version of the story was inspired by a portion of the original Victor Hugo novel (hence their names), which reads:
“The other statues, the ones of monsters and demons, felt no hatred for Quasimodo…The saints were his friends and blessed him; the monsters were his friends, and protected him. Thus, he would pour out his heart at length to them.”
Although it is considered one of Disney’s darker animated films in terms of content and theme, “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” features memorable songs written by Disney Legend Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz and a beautiful musical score by Menken that received Golden Globe and Oscar nominations. The movie also motivated a new generation of travelers to visit the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.
The Notre Dame Fire
In April 2019 – more than twenty years after the movie – a devastating fire resulted in the collapse of Notre Dame’s famous spire, the destruction of most of its roof, and damage to its upper walls. Thankfully, many works of art and religious relics were rescued, but some of the exterior art was damaged or destroyed.
In 2017, the non-profit organization Friends of Notre-Dame de Paris was created to support the restoration and preservation of the 12-century cathedral, which had been negatively impacted by pollution, rain, and time, yet hadn’t had any major repairs since the mid-1800s. However, after the fire, the organization’s efforts expanded to rebuilding as well as restoring and preserving, raising millions of dollars from donors around the world to save the beloved Paris landmark.
One way to support the restoration campaign is to “adopt” one of the 54 19th-century stone statues that adorn the upper gallery between Notre Dame’s two towers – known as the grotesques.
Four are damaged beyond repair and need to be entirely replaced, while the others require restoration from damage caused by weather, pollution, and stone degradation.
Gargoyle vs. Grotesque
Technically, the movie’s animated “gargoyles” are actually grotesques because the cathedral’s functional gargoyles drain rainwater, while the purely decorative grotesques represent fantastical and symbolic forms, including Corson the pelican (symbol of charity) and Stryge, the most famous grotesque (who I think resembles a “Wizard of Oz” winged monkey).
Also in need of repair are Dantalion, Agares, Foras, Shax, and others.
Although Victor, Hugo, and Laverne aren’t up for adoption, I jumped at the chance to help their grotesque friends – and so can you.
Find a gallery of grotesques and other artifacts in need of restoration HERE, and learn more information on the restoration progress of Notre-Dame de Paris HERE.
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Let’s Hear From You!
Have you visited the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris? The fire was certainly tragic, but it inspired me to re-watch “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” and reminded me how great it is. How about you? Do you plan on adopting one of the grotesques? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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