A photo of Strasbourg Cathedral plunged into darkness published this week is making the rounds on social networks. The town hall specified that the building is now turned off from 11 p.m. in order to save energy, causing incomprehension among certain elected officials and residents.
A decision that is not unanimous. The famous cathedral of Strasbourg (Bas-Rhin) is now dark from 11 p.m., and has been for almost two months.
A photo of the building plunged into darkness published by a photographer on his X account generated a small controversy.
Indeed, the striking image sparked a lot of reactions on the social network. “It’s sad”, “We want to see her!”, “This is how to promote depression”, we can read among the comments from Internet users.
For his part, the photographer told our colleagues from France 3 that he spotted this change a little earlier, in September, shortly after its implementation, and that he contacted Strasbourg town hall on this occasion. The latter initially explained that it was a technical problem and assured that it would be resolved a week later.
“It’s about the City of Strasbourg being exemplary”
After the publication of the famous photo at the beginning of the week and faced with the anger of Internet users and Strasbourg residents, the municipality wanted to express itself and provide details: “This early extinction is not simply aimed at making financial savings. “For the City of Strasbourg, it is a question of being exemplary at a time when energy conservation efforts are being asked of all citizens.”
However, the town hall clarified that the spire of the building would remain illuminated “all night, all year”. Thus, the total absence of light on the cathedral as can be seen in the photo would be an exception, such as during storms or blackouts.
“Technical malfunctions may occur causing […] total extinctions, including the arrow. The photo circulating on social networks and in the press showing the Cathedral in total darkness, arrow extinguished, would fall under this case,” continued the town hall.
“A useless decision”
Whether the arrow is on or off, the decision taken by the town hall sparked strong reactions among Internet users and the opposition.
Pierre Jakubowicz, municipal councilor of the city, asked Jeanne Barseghian, environmentalist mayor of Strasbourg, to “reverse this useless decision” via a message posted on his X account, accompanied by a new photo of the cathedral plunged into darkness .
Previously, the cathedral was illuminated until 1 a.m., and according to the calculations of certain elected officials, the city would save barely 4.80 euros per day.
