Notre-Dame de Paris reopens after five years of restoration

Notre-Dame. Photo: DW

On December 7, 2024, the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris reopened in Paris after a five-year extensive restoration prompted by the devastating fire in April 2019, reports Francetvinfo.

The grand reopening was attended by more than 40 heads of state and government, including the elected U.S. President Donald Trump, his associate Elon Musk, Prince William, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and others. Prominent benefactors who contributed significant funds to the cathedral’s restoration, religious figures, artists, celebrities, and other dignitaries were also invited.

The opening ceremony was broadcast by TV channels in over 20 countries and featured a film dedicated to the events following the fire, readings of Louis Aragon's poetry, and musical performances by the Capuçon brothers. Due to inclement weather, part of the program was moved inside the cathedral.

The Archbishop of Paris, Laurent Ulrich, symbolically knocked on the doors of Notre-Dame with his staff before opening them to the faithful. Rescuers and builders who had been involved in combating the fire and restoring the cathedral were met with standing ovations.

Earlier, the UOJ reported on the reasons behind the fire at Notre-Dame de Paris.

Read also

Kosovo to enact law restricting Serbian Church, experts say

Analysts warn that the new "Law on Foreigners" in Kosovo could restrict the presence of clergy, believers' access to shrines, and increase pressure on the Serbian community.

Congress Speaker: Demand to introduce Sharia law in USA is a serious problem

The Speaker of the House of Representatives stated that there is growing concern in society about attempts to impose Islamic law, which is incompatible with the American Constitution.

UK government introduces restrictions on "anti-Muslim hostility"

UK authorities have adopted a new definition of "Islamophobia" which, according to experts, could provide Muslims with special protection and restrict freedom of speech.

Dumenko brings icon in Church Slavonic to Ministry of Health

Epifaniy presented cardiologists with an Intercession icon, with inscriptions in Church Slavonic, which his structure calls a "sign of the Moscow tradition".

ISIS supporters carries out terrorist attack at anti-Islamic protest in NY

Near the home of New York's Muslim mayor, radicals threw two makeshift bombs at protesters during an anti-Islamic rally.

Hryshchuk: If UOC hands over its church itself, angle grinders aren't needed

An OCU chaplain called on UOC believers to accept the loss of the shrine for the sake of their own "enlightenment".