Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris is set to reopen this weekend after five years of reconstruction following a devastating fire in 2019. French President Macron, who vowed to restore the cathedral in five years, praised the workers for their efforts. The fire, suspected to be caused by an electrical fault or burning cigarette, destroyed much of the cathedral’s roof and interior, but the stone walls were preserved. The restoration campaign raised over 840 million euros from donors worldwide, with work involving 2,000 people rebuilding the intricate roof frame and spire. The reopening ceremony on Saturday will be attended by over 50 heads of state and VIPs, including US President-elect Donald Trump. Macron will lead a special Mass on Sunday, with evening Masses open to the public for the next eight days. The restoration work continues, with scaffolding remaining on parts of the exterior for further repairs. The ceremony will include the awakening of the cathedral’s large organ, followed by psalms and prayers before a final blessing by Archbishop Ulrich. The choir will sing the hymn Te Deum to conclude the service. The public can attend the Mass on Sunday and subsequent services by booking free tickets online.
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Five years after the devastating blaze, Notre-Dame Cathedral reopens to the public | Arts and Culture News
