Post by samiros » Fri Apr 19, 2019 1:28 pm

Disney, which scored millions with the 1996 animated blockbuster “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” said on Wednesday it would give $5 million to restore the fire-damaged Paris cathedral.“Notre-Dame is a beacon of hope and beauty that has defined the heart of Paris and the soul of France for centuries, inspiring awe and reverence for its art and architecture and for its enduring place in human history,” said Disney Chief Executive Bob Iger in a statement.“The Walt Disney Company stands with our friends and neighbors in the community, offering our heartfelt support as well as a $5 million donation for the restoration of this irreplaceable masterpiece.”Disney’s connection to the storied cathedral includes its 1996 animated hit “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” based on the Victor Hugo novel. The film, with animated incarnations of Quasimodo, Esmeralda and Frollo, sold an estimated $325 million in tickets worldwide.The company also manages Disneyland Paris, a 5,510-acre theme park about 20 miles (32 kilometers) east of the French capital.The Disney donation is among the first major contributions from a US entity following Monday’s blaze, which gutted the grand Paris landmark, destroying the roof, causing the steeple to collapse and leaving France reeling with shock.