The Associated Press, by Thomas Adamson and John Leicester
Paris (AP) The heart of Notre Dame Cathedral continued to beat despite the howling winds.
The monument sprang to life on Saturday night after Paris Archbishop Laurent Ulrich knocked on its doors three times with a specially made crosier made from fire-scorched beams. Under its lofty arches, the imposing Gothic masterpiece reopened for worship for the first time since a fire nearly destroyed it in 2019. The rebirth was celebrated with music, prayer, and amazement.
Due to very strong December gusts that swept across the Place de la Cit, which is bordered by the Seine River, the ceremony that was originally scheduled to start on the forecourt was shifted indoors. The event, however, retained its grandeur. The cathedral’s powerful organ, which had been silent for almost five years, thundered to life in a triumphal interplay of melodies while choirs sung psalms inside the bright nave.
For French President Emmanuel Macron, who supported the ambitious timeframe, the restoration—a remarkable accomplishment in just five years for a structure that took over two centuries to build—is a moment of victory and a welcome diversion from his domestic political troubles.
With 1,500 luminaries in attendance, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Prince William of Britain, and President-elect Donald Trump, the evening’s celebration highlighted Notre Dame’s continued significance as a cultural and spiritual lighthouse. In addition to showcasing France’s capacity to come together on the international scene in spite of domestic political difficulties, many view the event as Macron’s and his plan to transform it into a full-fledged diplomatic event.
Macron s political woes
Macron’s voice echoed across the nave as he spoke inside the cathedral on Saturday, thanking everyone who helped rescue, rebuild, and restore Notre Dame.
He began by saying, “I stand before you… to express the gratitude of the French nation,” before a chorus of voices filled the room with harmonies that had not been heard in more than five years.
The bells of Notre Dame are ringing once more tonight. “And in a moment, the organ will awaken, sending the music of hope to Parisians, France, and the world beyond through the luminous interior,” he stated.
A much-needed lift to the struggling French leader, whose prime minister was overthrown this week, sending the country’s politics into further chaos, is anticipated from the celebration.
The reopening of Notre Dame has been described by Macron as a “jolt of hope.” According to observers, Macron thought the event would momentarily quiet his detractors and highlight France’s solidarity and fortitude under his direction—a rare display of grace in a presidency currently dealing with a serious crisis.
On Friday, November 29, 2024, in Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron tours the rebuilt interiors of the monument while admiring paintings within the Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral. Pool via AP, Steve de Sakutin, fileAP
Monumental feats of restoration
After being carefully cleaned, the 42,000 square meters of stonework—an area equivalent to six soccer fields—showed off its elaborate carvings and glowing limestone. The cathedral’s recognizable profile was restored when the spire and roof were rebuilt above ground using 2,000 oak beams known as the forest.
For the first time since the fire, the booming huge organ, which has 7,952 pipes that range in size from pen-sized to torso-wide, is resonating. With five keyboards, 115 stops, and 30 foot pedals, the recently refurbished console was a restoration wonder that brought back a fundamental aspect of Notre Dame’s character.
The cathedral’s refurbished interiors astounded guests as they slowly filed in for the evening reopening rituals, with many pulling out their phones to take pictures. Fran ois Le Page of the Notre Dame Foundation, which collected about half of the 900 million ($950 million) in donations for the restoration, described it as a feeling of perfection. The cathedral was covered in scaffolding at his most recent visit in 2021. He described it as solemn. It’s day and night.
On Saturday, December 7, 2024, in Paris, archbishop Laurent Ulrich knocks on the doors of France’s famous Notre Dame Cathedral, which is formally reopening after a horrific fire nearly destroyed the 861-year-old landmark in 2019. (Pool, Teresa Suarez via AP)AP
Archbishop Ulrich and the clergy wore colorful liturgical costumes created by famed French fashion designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, which enhanced the ceremony’s visual beauty. Castelbajac, who is well-known for his striking pop-art style, created 2,000 vibrant pieces for 700 guests by fusing medieval and contemporary elements.
The Ukrainian pastor of the Volodymyr Le Grand church in Paris, the Rev. Andriy Morkvas, reflected on his first trip to Notre Dame in more than ten years. He answered, “I didn’t recognize it.” God is incredibly strong and has the ability to alter events. Drawing courage from the presence of the president of Ukraine, he expressed hope that the restoration of the cathedral could inspire peace in his native country. “I believe that will have a significant effect,” he remarked. I’m hoping Mary and Notre Dame will assist us in resolving this dispute.
With conflicts erupting in the Middle East and Ukraine, the reopening of Notre Dame coincides with a period of significant global upheaval.
According to the rector of Notre Dame, the cathedral embodies the maternal and encompassing presence of the Virgin Mary, which is significant to Catholics.
According to Olivier Ribadeau Dumas, it is a breathtaking representation of solidarity. Notre Dame is a stunning symbol of hope and more than just a French landmark.
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