Sad news to come out of Paris, but I just wanted to mention a similar or arguably even more significant loss that occurred last year, because it didn’t get anywhere near the same attention or coverage that it rightfully deserved.
That is the almost complete and total destruction by fire of the National Museum of Brazil, along with up to 20 million items and artefacts from its collection. It was a significant loss, not just for Brazil but to the entire collective human heritage.
I don’t recall Apple donating anything on that occasion, even though Brazil is far less capable of coping with and rebuilding after such a devastating loss. There aren’t rich billionaires offering to help with recovery or reconstruction either as far as I’m aware, but if there are I’ll edit the post. The arduous and painstaking task of sifting through the ashes is achieved largely by students and volunteers.
Unfortunately, the risk of and ultimate severity of the inferno was exacerbated by chronic underfunding and severely inadequate maintenance. The Brazil and now Paris fires highlight the risk to significant collections and historic buildings everywhere. If a major fire can break out in Windsor Castle as it did in 1992, there’s got to be thousands of important buildings across Europe at even greater risk or loss.
Thinking of France and Brazil.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/sep/03/fire-engulfs-brazil-national-museum-rio
