Since 1972, and until last year, the famous green ray appeared during the spring and autumn equinoxes. PATRICK HERTZOG/AFP
At the origin of the request, the engineer Maurice Rosart instructed his lawyer to appeal to the Administrative Court of Appeal of Nancy.
Justice did not want to resurrect the green ray of Strasbourg Cathedral. The repair of a stained glass window had put an end, almost a year ago, to this extraordinary optical phenomenon which attracted many visitors: this green ray, produced by the sun passing through a stained glass window depicting “the foot of Judah», illuminated the crucified Christ from the pulpit on the days of the equinox. The court ruled that the state, which has “nonot disregarded its obligations to preserve a historic monument», is therefore «don’t have to restore» this green ray. “Disgusted by this little open-mindedness», Maurice Rosart, the engineer who had discovered it in 1972, and was at the origin of the request, instructed his lawyer to lodge an appeal before the Administrative Court of Appeal of Nancy.
Read alsoThe disappearance of the mysterious green ray from Strasbourg Cathedral in court
“The court found that this luminous phenomenon of the green ray was not intended by the designers of the cathedral or the glassware in question, and was only due to a summary restoration – in 1972 Editor’s note -, not in accordance with the initial work of art, is it specified in the judgment. Under these conditions, he ruled that the State, whose objective is to restore the stained glass as close as possible to its initial state, did not disregard its obligations to preserve a historic monument, from the point of view of the history or art“.
For Me Julien Laurent, Maurice Rosart’s lawyer, “public interest in the restoration of the green ray exists, both from the point of view of history (the green ray is now part of that of Strasbourg Cathedral) and of art (this luminous phenomenon is unquestionably beautiful and has consequently an artistic value). It is more important than ever for the public to mobilize to safeguard the green ray“. Will there be many,this Monday, equinox day, at the cathedral», as the engineer-discoverer wishes? The petition launched to demand the return of the green ray has in any case already gathered nearly 4000 signatories.