Notre Dame Cathedral Reopening Ceremony Marks a New Chapter After Devastating Fire
After five years of extensive restoration following a devastating fire in April 2019, the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris is set to hold a grand reopening ceremony this Saturday evening. The catastrophic fire, which rapidly spread due to the cathedral's wooden roof structure, destroyed the iconic spire, two-thirds of the roof, and damaged the internal vault, resulting in the loss of numerous works of art and religious relics. However, the main structure of this historic monument was remarkably saved.
In the years since the tragedy, a new spire has been constructed along with a ribbed vault, while the famous flying buttresses, carved stone gutters, and various white stone decorations within the cathedral have been meticulously restored. The improvements make the interior of Notre Dame appear significantly brighter and cleaner than before.
The reopening ceremony is scheduled to commence around 7 PM and will take place inside the cathedral. Initially planned to be hosted outdoors in the square, the location has been changed due to a strong cold wind currently affecting Paris. Among those attending the event will be French President Emmanuel Macron, who is expected to give a speech. The ceremony will also see participation from various international dignitaries, including Italian President Sergio Mattarella, British Prince William, US President-elect Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and current US First Lady Jill Biden. However, Pope Francis will be notably absent, a decision that has sparked extensive discussion in French media.
The Notre Dame Cathedral is not only a symbol of France but also one of the world's most renowned monuments. Before the fire, it welcomed over 12 million visitors each year, and President Macron referred to it as the 'epicenter of French public life.'
Following the ceremony, the cathedral will open its doors to the public starting Sunday, December 8, from 5:30 PM to 8 PM. Given the immense interest, long queues are anticipated in the initial weeks of visitation. Visitors can reserve a free ticket for a specific entry time via the cathedral's website and dedicated app, or they may also join a physical queue on-site for those preferring to enter without a reservation. It's worth noting that group visits cannot be booked until February 1.
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