Paris's Notre Dame Cathedral Reopens Five Years After Devastating Fire

The cathedral celebrated its first mass with multiple performances and honored those who worked to save the building

The famous Parisian landmark of Notre Dame has now been officially reopened after the building was gutted in a 2019 fire. Approximately 2,000 workers were required to restore the 12th-century cathedral to its former glory, and these workers were formally thanked by French President Emmanuel Macron.

Following the fire, there was extensive damage to the inside and roof of the cathedral, and its spire — which is made of wood and metal — collapsed. The lead roof melted entirely, as did the wooden beams that were its support. Additionally, some religious relics inside the cathedral were lost, as was artwork on its exterior.

A campaign to restore the building followed, and 840 million euros were contributed by donors, including some of the wealthiest French citizens. Approximately 150 countries also made donations towards the restoration.

On Sunday, December 8, the cathedral held its first mass since the fire. The Archbishop of Paris, Laurent Ulrich, struck the front door three times with his crozier before symbolically reopening the building. During the service, the first responders who helped preserve the cathedral, as well as those who worked on the restoration, were given a standing ovation.

Performances included Renaud and Gautier Capuçon, who were the only performers to play live at the event. The remaining performances were pre-recorded and included cellist Yo-Yo Ma, pianists Lang Lang and Khatia Buniatishvili; organists Olivier Latry and Thierry Escaich; and violinist Daniel Lozakovich, who played the Aria from Bach’s Orchestral Suite No.3.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Gautiercapucon (@gautiercapucon)

Guests at the ceremony included Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Prince William, Joe and Jill Biden, and Elon Musk, as well as Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, former French presidents Francois Hollande and Nicolas Sarkozy, and Bernard Arnault, France's richest man.

"I stand before you to express the gratitude of the French nation, our gratitude to all those who saved, helped and rebuilt the cathedral," said President Emmanuel Macron said.

"Tonight we can together share joy and pride. Long live Notre-Dame de Paris, long live the Republic and long live France."

(Photo Courtesy: Yo-Yo Ma, YouTube)