As Western nations increasingly move to dismantle statues and historic symbols, Hungary is charting a different course. The Hungarian city of Mátészalka has offered to take in a statue of Joan of Arc, slated for removal from the French city of Nice, in a show of support for preserving European heritage and Christian values.
The statue, commissioned for €170,000 by Nice’s conservative mayor, Christian Estrosi, was installed in December to celebrate Joan of Arc as a “figure of unity and French pride.” However, French courts have ordered its removal, citing issues with the tendering process. Judges argue the contract violated rules by awarding the commission exclusively to Atelier Missor, a sculptor reportedly linked to the “extreme right.”
While the court’s rationale remains unclear, Hungary is eager to give the statue a new home. “Joan of Arc’s fight and martyrdom goes on,” wrote KDNP leader Zsolt Semjén, István Simicskó, and Mátészalka Mayor Péter Hanusi in a joint statement. They emphasized their commitment to protecting Western culture rooted in Christian traditions, adding, “KDNP supports any endeavor aimed at saving our Christian-based Western culture.”
Mátészalka, a northeastern Hungarian city near the Romanian border, is rich in history and traditional values. Known as the “City of Light,” it was one of Hungary’s first cities to install electric street lighting. Its leaders see the Joan of Arc statue as a meaningful addition to their city’s cultural landscape.
Joan of Arc, a national hero in France, played a critical role in the Hundred Years’ War, particularly during the siege of Orléans, which marked a turning point in France’s victory over England. Despite her historical significance, she has become a polarizing figure, particularly among left-wing groups in France, partly due to her association with the National Front under Jean-Marie Le Pen.
Hungary’s offer reflects a broader push by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to safeguard Christian heritage amid cultural shifts in Europe. Orbán’s government has prioritized building new churches even as many Western nations demolish, sell, or repurpose religious structures. The move to adopt the Joan of Arc statue underscores Hungary’s determination to preserve symbols of its Christian and European identity.
