Publish: 10:25, 07 Dec, 2024

Notre Dame reopens after five years, with Trump and world leaders in attendance

Online Desk
Notre Dame reopens after five years, with Trump and world leaders in attendance
Photo - Collected

Notre Dame will formally reopen Saturday five years after the Paris cathedral was devastated by fire, with US president-elect Donald Trump among world leaders there to celebrate its remarkably rapid restoration.

Held up as an example of French creativity and resilience by President Emmanuel Macron, Notre Dame's renaissance so soon after a 2019 blaze that destroyed its roof and spire comes at a difficult time for the country,reports AFP.

The sense of national accomplishment in restoring a beloved symbol of Paris has been undercut by political turmoil that has left France without a proper government and in a budget crisis.

Macron is hoping that the first full service inside Notre Dame and the sight of around 40 world leaders in Paris might provide a fleeting sense of pride and unity -- as the Paris Olympics did in July and August.

The re-opening "is the proof that we know how to do grand things, we know how to do the impossible and the whole world has admired us for it on two occasions this year," Macron said during a televised address on Thursday, referring to the widely praised Olympics.

During a visit with TV cameras last week however, he somewhat undermined the suspense behind the reopening, revealing the cathedral's freshly scrubbed limestone walls, new furniture and vaulted wooden roof cut from ancient oak trees selected from the finest forests of France.

The reconstruction effort has cost around 700 million euros ($750 million), financed from donations, with the re-opening achieved within five years despite predictions it could take decades.

Workers had to overcome problems with lead pollution, the Covid-19 epidemic, and the general overseeing the project falling to his death while hiking in the Pyrenees last year.

- Trump show? -

While the reborn 12th-century architectural masterpiece will be the main focus of public attention on Saturday, TV cameras are also likely to linger on Trump who will be making his first overseas trip since winning re-election to the White House last month.

He accepted an invitation from Macron to attend earlier this week, saying the French leader had done "a wonderful job ensuring that Notre Dame has been restored to its full level of glory, and even more so."

US President Joe Biden will be represented by his wife Jill, while Britain's Prince William and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will also be present.

Zelensky is expected to seek his first face-to-face meeting with Trump who has vowed to force a peace agreement to end the war in Ukraine, possibly by withholding US weapon supplies.

One surprising absentee will be Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church, who has decided against breaking off from a weekend trip to the French island of Corsica.

A message from Francis addressed to the French people will be read out to the congregation of VIPs, church figures and selected members of the public when the service begins on Saturday evening.

- 'Universal sadness' -

Parisians watched in horror in 2019 as flames ravaged Notre Dame, a landmark famed as the setting for Victor Hugo's novel "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" and one of the world's most visited monuments.

The apocalyptic images were even seen by some as a sign of the demise of Western civilisation, with the 850-year-old wonder saved from complete collapse only by the heroic intervention of firefighters.

The exact cause of the blaze has never been identified despite a forensic investigation by prosecutors, who believe an accident such as an electrical fault was the most likely reason.

"We felt a sense of universal sadness when Notre Dame burned," said fashion designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, who has dreamed up colourful new priestly vestments that will be worn by senior clergy on Saturday.

"It was a moment of terrible emotions, like a premonition of our world in difficulty," he told AFP recently.

The service will feature prayer, organ music and hymns from the cathedral's choir, followed by a televised concert with performances by Chinese piano virtuoso Lang Lang, South African opera singer Pretty Yende and possibly US singer and fashion designer Pharrell Williams.

Harsh weather forced officials to move Macron's planned speech indoors and pre-record the concert Friday night, with forecasts for winds of up to 80 kilometres (50 miles) per hour as Storm Darragh put parts of France on red alert.

On Sunday, the first mass with 170 bishops and more than 100 Paris priests will take place at 10:30am (0930 GMT) followed by a second service in the evening at 6:30pm which will be open to the public.

Bd-pratidin English/ Afia

More News
Russia denies reports Assad's wife has filed for divorce
Russia denies reports Assad's wife has filed for divorce
Saudi delegation meets Syria's new leader: source close to government
Saudi delegation meets Syria's new leader: source close to government
Gaza official says Israel strikes on hospital 'terrifying'
Gaza official says Israel strikes on hospital 'terrifying'
UN urges ceasefire as Israel intensifies Gaza attacks
UN urges ceasefire as Israel intensifies Gaza attacks
Chinese dam ignited rare Tibetan protests, ended in beatings and arrests: Report
Chinese dam ignited rare Tibetan protests, ended in beatings and arrests: Report
Gaza situation ‘nothing short of an apocalyptic nightmare’
Gaza situation ‘nothing short of an apocalyptic nightmare’
‘Israeli terrorists’ incapable of confronting Yemen: Ansarullah
‘Israeli terrorists’ incapable of confronting Yemen: Ansarullah
Amazon and Starbucks workers on strike, Trump's connection suspected
Amazon and Starbucks workers on strike, Trump's connection suspected
‘Looting Bride’ collects 1.25 crore by targeting rich men
‘Looting Bride’ collects 1.25 crore by targeting rich men
10 members of a family die in Brazil plane crash
10 members of a family die in Brazil plane crash
Tens of thousands displaced by ethnic brutality in northeast India suffer squalid conditions in camps
Tens of thousands displaced by ethnic brutality in northeast India suffer squalid conditions in camps
Attacks on Kamal Adwan Hospital ‘crime against humanity’: Hamas
Attacks on Kamal Adwan Hospital ‘crime against humanity’: Hamas
Latest News
Renowned Indian filmmaker Shyam Benegal passes away
Renowned Indian filmmaker Shyam Benegal passes away
8 hours ago | Entertainment
Sarwar Alam appointed as President's new Press Secretary
Sarwar Alam appointed as President's new Press Secretary
8 hours ago | National
New Delhi receives letter from Dhaka seeking Hasina’s extradition
New Delhi receives letter from Dhaka seeking Hasina’s extradition
9 hours ago | National
Gold price drops slightly
Gold price drops slightly
9 hours ago | Business
Awami League deprived people of voting rights: Rizvi
Awami League deprived people of voting rights: Rizvi
9 hours ago | National
WB commits to continue support for key reform initiatives in Bangladesh
WB commits to continue support for key reform initiatives in Bangladesh
10 hours ago | National
Russia denies reports Assad's wife has filed for divorce
Russia denies reports Assad's wife has filed for divorce
10 hours ago | International
Death toll in Meghna ship robbery attack rises to 7
Death toll in Meghna ship robbery attack rises to 7
10 hours ago | City
Rail service on Benapole-Dhaka route via Padma Bridge tomorrow
Rail service on Benapole-Dhaka route via Padma Bridge tomorrow
11 hours ago | National
Fake reviews flood the internet—Will AI make it worse?
Fake reviews flood the internet—Will AI make it worse?
11 hours ago | Tech
Rethinking development models, lifestyles and capacity building essential to tackle Climate Change: Environment Advisor
Rethinking development models, lifestyles and capacity building essential to tackle Climate Change: Environment Advisor
11 hours ago | City
Legal costs escalate due to lawyers’ syndicate: Tajul Islam
Legal costs escalate due to lawyers’ syndicate: Tajul Islam
11 hours ago | National
Saudi delegation meets Syria's new leader: source close to government
Saudi delegation meets Syria's new leader: source close to government
11 hours ago | International
Let's forget all differences and unite to build Bangladesh: Mirza Fakhrul
Let's forget all differences and unite to build Bangladesh: Mirza Fakhrul
12 hours ago | National
Gaza official says Israel strikes on hospital 'terrifying'
Gaza official says Israel strikes on hospital 'terrifying'
12 hours ago | International
One more dies of dengue
One more dies of dengue
12 hours ago | National
Chinese company to invest $28.92m in Economic Zone
Chinese company to invest $28.92m in Economic Zone
12 hours ago | Business
Palestinian envoy meets President, thanks Bangladesh for support
Palestinian envoy meets President, thanks Bangladesh for support
12 hours ago | National
5 bodies recovered from cargo ship in Meghna
5 bodies recovered from cargo ship in Meghna
13 hours ago | City
Bangladesh to kick off Champions Trophy campaign against India
Bangladesh to kick off Champions Trophy campaign against India
14 hours ago | Sports
UN urges ceasefire as Israel intensifies Gaza attacks
UN urges ceasefire as Israel intensifies Gaza attacks
14 hours ago | International
Chinese dam ignited rare Tibetan protests, ended in beatings and arrests: Report
Chinese dam ignited rare Tibetan protests, ended in beatings and arrests: Report
14 hours ago | International
Travel ban imposed on Shahriar Alam, family members
Travel ban imposed on Shahriar Alam, family members
14 hours ago | National
Bangladesh's forex reserves reach $20bn
Bangladesh's forex reserves reach $20bn
14 hours ago | Business
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park project cancelled
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park project cancelled
14 hours ago | National
EVMs won’t be allowed in next polls: Badiul Alam Majumdar
EVMs won’t be allowed in next polls: Badiul Alam Majumdar
15 hours ago | National
Dhaka seeking Hasina’s extradition, sends letter to Delhi: confirms Foreign Adviser
Dhaka seeking Hasina’s extradition, sends letter to Delhi: confirms Foreign Adviser
15 hours ago | National
Court imposes travel ban on Sayeed Khokon, his family
Court imposes travel ban on Sayeed Khokon, his family
15 hours ago | National
Honda and Nissan announce merger talks
Honda and Nissan announce merger talks
15 hours ago | Business
Gaza situation ‘nothing short of an apocalyptic nightmare’
Gaza situation ‘nothing short of an apocalyptic nightmare’
15 hours ago | International
Most Read
'​​​​​​​Letter sent to foreign ministry to bring Hasina back'
'​​​​​​​Letter sent to foreign ministry to bring Hasina back'
17 hours ago | National
BMD predicts dry weather over country
BMD predicts dry weather over country
18 hours ago | National
Assad's wife files for divorce, seeks to move to UK
Assad's wife files for divorce, seeks to move to UK
22 hours ago | International
Great disasters of 1/11, eclipse of 2/11
Great disasters of 1/11, eclipse of 2/11
20 hours ago | Special
Government won’t change its decision on Rohingya entry, says Home Advisor Jahangir Alam
Government won’t change its decision on Rohingya entry, says Home Advisor Jahangir Alam
17 hours ago | National
Maj Gen Fazlur Rahman to lead commission to re-investigate BDR carnage
Maj Gen Fazlur Rahman to lead commission to re-investigate BDR carnage
17 hours ago | National
Widespread scattering of weapons, bullets
Widespread scattering of weapons, bullets
18 hours ago | Special
Ctg port faces growing backlog of unclaimed containers
Ctg port faces growing backlog of unclaimed containers
20 hours ago | Special
Tulip Siddiq interviewed over corruption investigation
Tulip Siddiq interviewed over corruption investigation
19 hours ago | International
Trump vows to ‘stop transgender lunacy’ as a top priority
Trump vows to ‘stop transgender lunacy’ as a top priority
21 hours ago | International
Rumor Scanner debunks news regarding sanctions on army, Hasina's return
Rumor Scanner debunks news regarding sanctions on army, Hasina's return
22 hours ago | National
Syrian Women's Affairs Chief: Women to play key role in rebuilding
Syrian Women's Affairs Chief: Women to play key role in rebuilding
19 hours ago | International
Dhaka's air quality 2nd worst globally
Dhaka's air quality 2nd worst globally
21 hours ago | City
Ferry services resume after hours of suspension due to fog
Ferry services resume after hours of suspension due to fog
21 hours ago | National
1 killed, several injured in another Dhaka-Mawa Expressway crash
1 killed, several injured in another Dhaka-Mawa Expressway crash
21 hours ago | National
67 died in Nigeria after deadly stampedes
67 died in Nigeria after deadly stampedes
21 hours ago | International
Gaza situation ‘nothing short of an apocalyptic nightmare’
Gaza situation ‘nothing short of an apocalyptic nightmare’
15 hours ago | International
Bangladesh to kick off Champions Trophy campaign against India
Bangladesh to kick off Champions Trophy campaign against India
13 hours ago | Sports
Tomatoes thrown, protest outside Allu Arjun's home over stampede death
Tomatoes thrown, protest outside Allu Arjun's home over stampede death
21 hours ago | Entertainment
Chinese dam ignited rare Tibetan protests, ended in beatings and arrests: Report
Chinese dam ignited rare Tibetan protests, ended in beatings and arrests: Report
14 hours ago | International
Many people appear unhappy when we talk about holding polls: Mirza Fakhrul
Many people appear unhappy when we talk about holding polls: Mirza Fakhrul
23 hours ago | National
38 died, more than 100 missing as ferry sinks in Congo
38 died, more than 100 missing as ferry sinks in Congo
21 hours ago | International
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park project cancelled
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park project cancelled
14 hours ago | National
Legal costs escalate due to lawyers’ syndicate: Tajul Islam
Legal costs escalate due to lawyers’ syndicate: Tajul Islam
11 hours ago | National
Tens of thousands protest in Belgrade against president over railway collapse
Tens of thousands protest in Belgrade against president over railway collapse
21 hours ago | International
“Sonic the Hedgehog 3” tops box office, beats “Mufasa” in opening weekend
“Sonic the Hedgehog 3” tops box office, beats “Mufasa” in opening weekend
20 hours ago | Entertainment
Asia shares rally on US inflation relief
Asia shares rally on US inflation relief
20 hours ago | Business
Dhaka seeking Hasina’s extradition, sends letter to Delhi: confirms Foreign Adviser
Dhaka seeking Hasina’s extradition, sends letter to Delhi: confirms Foreign Adviser
15 hours ago | National
Champions Trophy: PCB choose UAE as neutral venue for India games
Champions Trophy: PCB choose UAE as neutral venue for India games
21 hours ago | Sports
5 bodies recovered from cargo ship in Meghna
5 bodies recovered from cargo ship in Meghna
13 hours ago | City