Five years after the fire destroyed this global cultural heritage monument, it opened on Saturday (07.12.2024) again its gates to the public. Dozens of heads of state and government attended the ceremony. Historical moments in the French capital with the openings of the iconic cathedral aged 860. For the first time since the April 25, 2019 quote, the bells in Our Lady of Paris again sounded on Saturday in the presence of 40 leaders and heads of states with the President of France, Emanuel Macron, of course. In the fire five and a half years ago, the Virgin Mary of Paris suffered great damage, destroyed its arrow and roof and almost caused the complete collapse of this masterpiece of Gothic art. The opening of 7 December took place at a particularly critical time for France, facing a major economic and political crisis. Attention was turned to the opening ceremony, as with its openings “Notre Dame de Paris” France entered the rhythm of the festivities for the restoration of the Virgin Mary of Paris, at the same time as the arrival of the official guests. NOW – Doors of the Notre Dame in Paris are open again. — Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) Notre Dame’s famous Grand Organ with its 8,000 pipes, sounds out once again throughout the Cathedral. — Colm Flynn (@colmflynnire) At the ceremony of October 7, 2024 they gave the present, 40 heads of state and government, as well as the newly elected president of the US, Donald Trump. Guests were also Jill Biden, Volontimir Zelensky, Prince William, Elon Musk, but also the President of the Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou. Thibault Camus/Pool via REUTERS Macrone: “Graise of the French nation” The “Gloriousness of the French nation” for the reconstruction of the Virgin Mary of Paris expressed on Saturday night French President, Emmanuel Macron, in his speech during the cathedral’s reopening ceremony. “We have rediscovered what the great nations can do: to realize the impossible,” the leader of France welcomed in the cathedral and added: “We chose recovery, will, path of hope. And to make this possible, an unprecedented brotherhood,” he said. “We should keep as treasure this lesson of fragility, humility and will and never forget how much everyone counts and how much the greatness of this cathedral is an integral part of everyone’s work,” said Emmanuel Macron. “I stand before you to express the gratitude of the French nation, our gratitude to all who saved, helped and rebuilt the cathedral,” he stressed. “Tonight we can share joy and pride together. Long live the Virgin Mary of Paris, Long live the Republic, Long live France”, the French President concluded his speech. Shortly before, Emanuel Macron had warmly welcomed in front of the cathedral heads of state and government, crowned and prominent personalities. REUTERS/Christian Hartmann Tripartite Trump – Macron – Zelensky The festivities began with the screening of the film “Notre Dame Reborn”, describing exactly how the restoration of the temple took place. Firefighters who had taken part in firefighting and craftsmen entered the church and were applauded. While inside the church, on the facade of the Virgin Mary of Paris the message “Merci” (thank you) appeared in many languages. La cathédrale s’illimine pour leur rendre hommage. — franceinfo (@francinfo) A music performance with violin and cello followed by the brothers Renaud and Gautier Capucon. On the sidelines of the events and before the opening ceremony, an informal trilateral meeting of Donald Trump, Emanuel Macron and Volodymir Zelensky took place at Elise, on developments in the Ukraine – Russia war. “We have good relations and we have accomplished much, respect and love the French. It is an honor to be here,” Donald Trump said. “And it certainly seems that the world is going a little crazy right now. And we will talk about it,” he added. Bienvenue. Fier de l’amitié entre les États-Unis d’Amérique et la France. Nous avons tant de défis à releaser actble. — Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) The opening of the Virgin Mary of Paris is estimated to mark the beginning of a new era for the iconic monument of the French capital. LUDOVIC MARIN/Pool via REUTERS The 860-year-old medieval cathedral, a symbol of both France and Paris, was diligently restored, with a new arrow and roof, having returned to its old glory, while its white and gold decorative elements are shining today more than ever. The magnificantly restored interior of the Notre-Dame Cathedral. — Architecture & Tradition (@archi_tradition) Three hits at the doors of the “Notre Dame de Paris” by the Archbishop of Paris marked the opening of the ceremony, while the mixed children’s choir gave a moving climate with psalms in French. The Catholic Church now expects that the cathedral will welcome about 15 million visitors a year. Thibault Camus/Pool via REUTERS Katerina Sakellaropoulou At the invitation of Emanuel Macron, Katerina Sakellaropoulou also attended the reopening ceremony of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Paris. The President of the Hellenic Republic then attended the dinner party quoted by her French counterpart and his wife, Brigitte Macron, in honor of the Heads of State and Government. Pope Francis’ request Pope Francis urged that the reception of the huge crowd of visitors expected in the Virgin Mary of Paris be “be generous and free of charge” in a message to the archbishop of Paris, Laurent Ulric for the reopening of the cathedral. “I know, Your Excellency, that the doors will be wide open to them,” added the pontiff, while the Minister of Culture of France provoked a debate suggesting that an entry ticket be established at the renovated cathedral. “I wish the rebirth of this remarkable church to be a prophetic sign of the renewal of the Church in France,” added the Roman Catholic Church’s foreman, in the text that was read in Our Lady of Paris. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier The restored Virgin Mary of Paris may have reopened her gates, but France is in a chaotic state in the political field after the fall of the Barnier government. Even if the most optimistic scenario is in place and chaos only lasts for a few weeks, at the moment, France and Germany, Europe’s two largest forces, are on the run and the far right is also lurking.
Our Lady of Paris was reborn from her ashes: The door-to-door presence of dozens of leaders from around the world
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