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France celebrated the re-opening of the newly restored Notre Dame cathedral on Saturday evening at a special church service that featured a standing ovation for the firefighters who saved the 12th-century landmark during a 2019 blaze.
A two-hour service attended by incoming US president Donald Trump among other world leaders began with the archbishop of Paris knocking on the doors of the cathedral three times.
“Notre Dame, model of faith, open your doors to bring together the far-flung children of God in joy,” archbishop Laurent Ulrich commanded, banging with a wooden staff crafted from a roof beam that survived the inferno five years ago.
Trump was seated on the front row as a guest of honor next to French President Emmanuel Macron, with him and other invitees marveling at the freshly cleaned walls, new furniture, and state-of-the-art lighting installed as part of the overhaul.
In a short speech, Macron expressed the “gratitude of the French nation” for the restoration work, achieved at frenzied speed over the last five years.
France had “rediscovered what great nations can do — achieve the impossible”, he said.
‘Merci’
One of the most moving moments came when firefighters in their protective workwear walked through the congregation to thunderous applause as the word “Merci” (“Thank you”) was beamed on the intricate facade and famous belltowers of the Gothic masterpiece outside.
Saturday’s service featured classical music, the cathedral’s choir as well as some frenetic organ-playing during the “re-awakening” of the 8,000-pipe instrument which is considered the voice and soul of the cathedral.
Small crowds of Parisians and tourists braved wet weather and high winds on the banks of the River Seine to witness the renaissance of a monument that came close to collapsing due to the intensity of the flames that toppled its roof and spire
