Giuliano de Rosa
French people observe Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris behind a security cordon, december 6, 2024
GIULIEN DE ROSA
Completely restored after the great fire of April 2019, the Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral reopens its doors to the world this Saturday (6), in the presence of almost 40 world leaders.
Among the guests is the president-elect of the United States, Donald Trump, who arrived in the French capital early in the morning and was able to meet with Ukrainian president Volodomir Zelenskyj.
This would be the first meeting between the two as Trump won the presidential election in early November.
other personalities present are Prince William,Albert of Monaco,German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and the First Lady of the United states,Jill Biden.
All will be received by French President Emmanuel Macron, who has made the reconstruction of Notre-Dame a personal commitment and who is currently facing political difficulties.
The complete renovation of the temple cost almost 770 million dollars (4.6 billion reais),paid for with donations from several countries,especially the United States.
“It’s wonderful and also very personal to me. and I think it’s great that he (Trump) is hear, along with all these authorities,” Joe, 65, a visitor from Philadelphia, told AFP.
Noëlle Alexandria, a Canadian tourist, told AFP she had been near the cathedral since dawn and intended to stay there as long as possible.
The weather conditions caused the suspension of the first events in the square in front of the cathedral facade. Nearly 1,500 guests will attend the celebrations inside the temple.
A musical show featuring French and international stars was recorded on Friday and will be screened after the ceremony.
– More than 860 years of history
The world’s most famous Gothic cathedral, whose construction began more than 860 years ago, suffered a devastating fire on April 15, 2019. Images of the disaster shocked the world.
the reopening represents another milestone in its eventful history, with a completely rebuilt roof, a clean nave, new and modern furnishings and modulable lighting thanks to LED lamps.
The organ, built three centuries ago, was dismantled, cleaned and reinstalled.
Although the 60 meter long nave appears immaculately white to the faithful, the adjacent chapels display stunning colours, thanks to the meticulous work of hundreds of craftsmen.
The celebrations are expected to last six months, the archbishop of Paris, Laurent Ulrich, told AFP. Notre-Dame has scheduled thanksgiving masses for donors and workers who rebuilt the temple, among others.
“It is indeed a cathedral like we have never seen before,” assured Philippe Jost, coordinator of the restoration project.
– Security measures –
The ceremony will begin at 7pm local time (3pm Brasilia time), with the archbishop opening the doors.
President Emmanuel Macron will address the guests.
the security measures are notable: all accesses and bridges around the Île de la Cité, where Paris was born and where the cathedral was built, are blocked.
Guests will find the furniture, designed specifically for this new phase of the monument, such as the chairs, or the modern baptistery at the entrance to the nave, created by the artist Guillaume Bardet.
In the background, behind the altar, another novelty: the reliquary where the Crown of Thorns is kept, a large disk of golden crystals with a cobalt blue center.
– The awakening of the organ –
Monsignor ulrich will then proceed to “reawaken” the organ. He will invoke it eight times and four organists on keyboards will later improvise a musical response.
Guests will hear a special message from Pope Francis and the choir will sing a “Magnificat” and a “Te Deum.”
In the musical program, the Venezuelan maestro gustavo Dudamel will conduct the Radio France Philharmonic Orchestra, accompanied by the Chinese pianist Lang Lang, the South African soprano Pretty Yende and the French-Swiss tenor Benjamin Bernheim.
After the ceremony, guests will be welcomed to an honorary banquet at the Elysée Palace.
Two masses are scheduled for Sunday: at 10.30 am (6.30 am in Brasilia), always in the presence of the civil and religious authorities, for the consecration of the altar; and at 6.30pm (2.30pm Brasilia time) for the public.
The reopening of Notre-Dame is the culminating moment of a reconstruction process that has mobilized French society and world public opinion.
What are the cultural and diplomatic implications of Notre-Dame’s reopening for France and the world?
Time.news Interview: The Significance of Notre-Dame’s Reopening
Editor of Time.news: Good day, and welcome to our readers! Today, we have the privilege of speaking with Dr. Isabelle Moreau,an expert in architecture and cultural heritage restoration,to discuss the recent reopening of the iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral in paris. Dr. moreau, thank you for joining us.
Dr. Isabelle Moreau: Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to be here to discuss such an crucial event.
Editor: The reopening of Notre-Dame on December 6, 2024, has drawn attention from around the world. What does this moment signify not only for France but also for global cultural heritage?
Dr. Moreau: This moment is monumental.Notre-Dame is not just a cathedral; it’s a symbol of resilience and hope. After the devastating fire in April 2019, many feared that the cultural loss would be irreparable.the restoration — which cost nearly 770 million dollars funded by generous donations — is a testament to human determination in preserving history. The attendance of nearly 40 world leaders further highlights its importance on a diplomatic and cultural level.
Editor: Absolutely! Among the notable figures present at the reopening was U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, along with leaders like Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj.In yoru opinion, how do such high-profile guests shape the narrative around this event?
Dr. Moreau: The presence of world leaders underscores the diplomatic significance of Notre-Dame. In times of geopolitical tension, such as the current context with Ukraine, cultural events like this provide a platform for dialog and collaboration. Trump and Zelenskyj meeting for the first time at this historic site sends a strong message of unity and hope amidst crisis. It solidifies Notre-Dame’s position as a beacon of reconciliation and renewal.
Editor: French President Emmanuel Macron has made the restoration a personal commitment amidst political challenges. How do you view his role in this process?
Dr.Moreau: Macron’s involvement is crucial. He has not only prioritized the cathedral’s restoration but has also framed it as a part of France’s national identity. His commitment to this project is both symbolic and practical, demonstrating that cultural heritage can be a unifying force, even during political turmoil. Though, navigating the complexities of public sentiment and ensuring transparency in the use of funds has been challenging.
Editor: The financial aspect is intriguing. With such a notable cost involved,how do you evaluate the funding model used for Notre-Dame’s restoration? Is it a sustainable approach for similar projects in the future?
Dr. Moreau: the donation-based funding model, while spectacular in this case, poses questions about sustainability. While there’s a strong commitment from various donors, relying heavily on private contributions can be risky. Future restoration projects might need a more diversified funding approach, possibly involving a blend of state funding, community participation, and public-private partnerships to ensure that they can be carried out without such reliance on a handful of large donors.
Editor: Wisely stated! what do you believe is the broader lesson we can learn from the restoration of Notre-Dame as we face other challenges globally?
Dr. Moreau: The broader lesson is one of resilience and collective action. The restoration of Notre-Dame has shown us that when people come together for a shared cause, remarkable things can happen. It also serves as a reminder that cultural heritage is essential to our identity, and investing in it can bring communities together. In facing global challenges like climate change or political strife, we must harness this spirit of collaboration.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Moreau, for your insights! The reopening of Notre-Dame is not simply a return to normalcy but a reminder of the strength of cultural heritage and the power of unity. We appreciate your time today.
Dr. Moreau: Thank you for having me! It was a pleasure discussing such an important topic.
