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Notre-Dame Reopens: a Wrap-Up of Diplomacy and Landmark Tourism

Politics

Fri, January 17

On December 7, 2024, the Notre Dame Cathedral finally reopened its doors to the public. Only five years prior, the entire world watched in horror as a devastating fire on April 15, 2019, reduced large parts of the cathedral’s wooden roof to ash and sent its iconic spire plummeting. In the years since, a monumental restoration effort unfolded.

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The Significance of Notre Dame

Notre Dame Cathedral is historically relevant for more reasons than its architectural beauty. Since its construction between 1163 and 1345, the cathedral has borne witness to pivotal events in both French and world history. Napoleon Bonaparte crowned himself Emperor at Notre Dame in 1804, while Charles de Gaulle attended a thanksgiving mass there in 1944 following France’s liberation from Nazi occupation.

But what really made it famous to younger generations? Stories. Victor Hugo’s 1831 novel The Hunchback of Notre Dame immortalized the cathedral and inspired 19th-century restoration efforts, and also gave us unforgettable characters like Quasimodo.

Notre Dame lives on in pop culture, with Disney movies and Instagram feeds decorated with travel shots. The latest restoration represents the importance of preserving stories and memories that connect us across time.

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Background: The 2019 Fire and Restoration Efforts

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Just before 18:20 CEST, a structural fire broke out in the roof space of Notre Dame Cathedral. The fire originated in the roof space and quickly spread, consuming the timber framework that had some beams dating back to the 13th century. By the time the fire was extinguished, most of the wooden roof had been destroyed.

The fire caused major damage to the cathedral’s upper walls and roof structures but miraculously spared many of its treasured interior elements, including the altar, two massive pipe organs, and the trio of 13th-century rose windows. Extensive efforts were made to rescue religious relics and works of art although some items suffered smoke damage. Toxic lead contamination from the destroyed roof required an immense large-scale cleanup operation, further complicating the already herculean task of restoration.

Yet, two days after the fire, French President Emmanuel Macron pledged that the Notre Dame would rise again within five years. This ambitious timeline triggered tons of donations, exceeding €840 million by September 2021. Philanthropists, governments, and ordinary citizens alike all contributed to this donation pool. Right before its reopening, Macron and his wife Brigitte toured the restored cathedral alongside chief architect Phillippe Villeneuve.

Events Leading Up to and Including the Reopening

December 7, 2024: The Reopening Ceremony

The grand reopening ceremony began at precisely 19:00 CET, and the cathedral’s bells tolled for the first time in five years. Archbishop Laurent Ulrich of Paris symbolically struck the cathedral doors three times with a crosier crafted from a salvaged roof beam. His act was followed by the choir’s rendition of Psalm 122, sung three times in Latin before the cathedral’s doors were opened to dignitaries and guests.

A video presentation showed the extent of the fire damage and the subsequent restoration work. As part of the ceremony, the word “merci” (thank you) was projected onto the western facade in multiple languages. Among the honored guests were 160 firefighters who had bravely battled the fire, as well as the artisans whose skills had breathed life back into the cathedral.

President Emmanuel Macron expressed gratitude in a speech to those who aided in the restoration of the cathedral. According to BBC, Macron addressed those workers saying, “The blaze at Notre Dame was a national wound, and you have been its remedy through will, through work, and through commitment.” He also unveiled the “Global Heritage Pact,” an initiative aimed at cultivating international collaboration for the preservation of endangered cultural sites.

French officials held bilateral meetings with counterparts from Italy, Germany, and Spain to discuss cross-border funding mechanisms. Macron’s speech was followed by Archbishop Celestino Migliore, the apostolic nuncio to France, who read a message from Pope Francis passing on his spiritual support and joy over the cathedral’s reopening.

Musical highlights enriched the ceremony, including the blessing of the newly restored organ. Organists Olivier Latry, Vincent Dubois, Thierry Escaich, and Thibault Fajoles performed a series of improvised responses. For those interested in fashion, designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac designed new liturgical vestments that the clergy donned for the first time.

High fashion and tradition combined demonstrate how the old and the new can come together in surprising ways. The service concluded with the procession of banners, prayers, and hymns, with a new setting of the Magnificat composed by Yves Castagnet.

Due to Storm Darragh, a planned live concert on the cathedral forecourt was recorded a day earlier by France Télévisions and broadcast after the ceremony. Notable performers were pianist Lang Lang, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, opera singers Pretty Yende and Julie Fuchs, and singers Angeélique Kidjo and Hiba Tawahi, among others.

December 8, 2024: Inaugural Mass

The following day, December 8, 2024, saw the first mass celebrated in the restored cathedral. The occasion coincided with the Feast of Immaculate Conception and the Second Sunday of Advent. Archbishop Ulrich presided over the mass, consecrating a new high altar within which the relics of five saints were placed. In attendance were President Macron, his wife Brigitte, and a host of international dignitaries.

Nearly 170 bishops worldwide participated in the mass, and [prominent clergy in attendance were Cardinals Timothy M. Dolan, Bechara Boutros al-Rahi, Dominik Duka, and Archbishop Eamon Martin. The mass concluded with the cathedral’s first public service since 2019 at 18:30 CET – a major moment for all present.

Following Events and Public Reopening

Special services continued from December 8 to 15, 2024, marking an “octave of reopening.” A significant highlight was the return of the Crown of Thorns on December 13. French Catholic television channel KTO provided live broadcasts which allowed viewers worldwide to partake in the celebrations.

Public admission to the cathedral began on December 9, initially with restricted hours. Normal opening hours resumed on December 16, with visitors required to reserve tickets in advance. Weekly concerts and cultural events are scheduled to run through June 2025, with two highly-anticipated concerts featuring Johann Sebastian Bach’s Magnificat held on December 17 and 18.

Why Should Teens Care?

The Notre Dame, despite being 800 years old, shows us how history and culture evolve. Notre Dame is a lesson teaching how the stories we inherit contribute to our identity – and that it is up to us to carry them forward. It’s also a lesson in how the world comes together during tough times.

The fire and its aftermath showed that even in a divided world, people can rally together in support of a common cause. We ensure that future generations will have their own important symbols of culture by caring about important historical attractions like Notre Dame.

Notre-Dame’s Role in Modern France

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Notre Dame Cathedral is poised to once again serve as a center for worship, tourism, and cultural dialogue through its reopening. It has an expected 12 million visitors annually, therefore remaining one of Europe’s most visited landmarks. Notre Dame will host concerts, interfaith gatherings, and academic symposiums.

Phillipe Jose, a leader in the restoration, remarked “It’s a wonder. Even for us who are very often in the cathedral, it doesn’t get old, it gets more beautiful every day.”

The restoration of the Notre Dame shows that when people unite for a cause, they can achieve the extraordinary! So, the next time you scroll past a picture of Notre Dame or watch a video about its unique history think about what it represents: hope, the power of collaboration, and heritage. Perhaps one day you will be a part of a movement that saves something priceless for generations to come.

The Notre Dame de Paris is back, and it stands tall once again.

Neena Atkins
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Writer since May, 2023 · 9 published articles

Neena is an avid reader who enjoys a wide range of books, from classic Jane Austen to contemporary authors like Taylor Jenkins Reid. When she's not shopping with friends or lost in a good book, she can be found near the ocean, indulging in her many loves of running, walking, and scuba-diving.

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