Paris was seething with emotion after the beloved Cathedral of Notre Dame reopened after a devastating fire.
The fire in April 2019 broke out on the roof of the church and destroyed it its emblematic spire and damaging the roof and upper walls of the cathedral. Restoration work since then the 860-year-old building has been developed.
Although there is still more work to be done to ensure this restored medieval cathedral may dominate the Paris skyline for centuries, the church opened its doors to the public on Saturday. The demand for access was huge, with people coming from near and far to walk the streets of Paris and wait to see the reopening of the cathedral.
Louise Delmotte / AP
What happened when Notre Dame cathedral reopened?
The doors of Notre Dame Cathedral were opened by Laurent Ulrich, Archbishop of Paris, in a traditional ceremony. He knocked on the heavy front doors of the medieval church with a basketball or staff. The staff was made of wood salvaged from the charred roof of the cathedral, according to the Associated Press.
A psalm was sung from inside the cathedral. The cathedral’s 8,000-pipe organ was also used to answer the archbishop’s invocation, as four organists performed, AP reported. After singing the psalm three times, the doors opened.
Guests entered through the western facade of the cathedral for a ceremony “steeped in history,” the AP reported. It was followed by a star-studded pre-recorded concert, featuring artists including cellist Yo-Yo Ma, according to the Associated Press. The performances focused on a message of harmony that celebrated the resurrection of the cathedral and its role as a sanctuary.
Ulrich and other members of the clergy wore vibrant liturgical garments designed by renowned French fashion designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac. Castelbajac combined modern elements with medieval touches in colorful pieces for more than 700 celebrants, the AP reported.
Stephane de Sakutin / AP
Speaking inside the cathedral, French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday expressed “gratitude” to those who saved, helped and rebuilt Notre Dame, his voice echoing through the nave.
“I stand before you … to express the gratitude of the French nation,” he said.
“Tonight, the bells of Notre Dame are ringing again. And in a moment, the organ will wake,” sending the “music of hope” cascading through the luminous interior to Parisians, France and the wider world beyond, he said, as he said. the AP
On Sunday, Ulrich will lead an inaugural mass at the cathedral. He will consecrate the new contemporary altar of Notre Dame, which replaces the same one crushed by the needle in the fire of 2019.
Restoration of Notre Dame Cathedral inspires a new generation
When flames engulfed Notre Dame that spring day in 2019, many feared that even if the cathedral survived the blaze, the skills needed to restore it were long lost. But it turned out there were still plenty of them traditional artisans quietly working in France, and soon an army of craftsmen was drafted to restore the historical monument. It was the work of a lifetime, according to decorative painter Camille Schmoeker.
“Every day, my co-workers and I would pinch each other, like, ‘We’re here,'” said Schmoeker, who described his job as applying touch-ups to the work of stonemasons. “It’s rewarding to know that I’ve helped to create something better than it was and that will outlast my life.”
Chief architect Philippe Villeneuve said the restoration shed new light on traditional ways of working in construction and restoration. American carpenter Hank Silverwho worked on rebuilding the cathedral’s wooden roof, said the fire had a surprising effect on him and other workers.
Courtesy of Hank Silver
“Maybe it’s a bit of a controversial point to say, but in many ways, this fire has been a great gift, not only to me personally, but (to) young people who otherwise would never know they could have a career as a traditional carpenter, stone cutter, mason These trades are becoming public again,” Silver said. “I don’t think there’s anything better you could be doing with your life, really.”
For the artisans who have devoted the last half decade of their lives to rebuilding the historic site, the reopening is a bittersweet moment.
“I never thought I’d get to do something like this,” said apprentice roofer Mael Testas.
“I feel like he’s my baby in a way, and now he’s all grown up,” Silver said. “Now it will be everyone’s visit.”
Louise Delmotte / AP
World leaders, including Trump, gather at Notre Dame Cathedral
Many world leaders will be among the 1,500 guests attending the reopening celebration at Notre Dame Cathedral. President Biden will not attend, but First Lady Jill Biden will appear. President-elect Donald Trump will also be present. They, as well as leaders and dignitaries such as Prince William of England and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, will be welcomed by the French president. Emmanuel Macron.
Macron, who has faced political turmoil in recent dayshe was behind the ambitious decision to complete the restoration of the cathedral in just five years. Donations from around the world helped speed up the rebuilding process. Americans were the most generous donors, with 45,000 US citizens giving a total of $75 million. The reconstruction cost about 700 million euros, or 737 million dollars.
The reopening marks Trump’s first international trip since being re-elected in November. He is scheduled to meet with Macron and Prince William during his stay in Paris. It was not immediately clear whether Trump would meet with Zelenskyy The French president and other European leaders are trying to persuade Trump continue to support Ukraine’s defense against Russia.