At last, on the majestic banks of the Seine, in the heart of the historic French metropolis, amidst overwhelming urbanity, a long-awaited and emotion-filled moment blossomed. Over four years of patience and waiting have finally come to fruition, marked by a date etched in history: April 15, 2019, the day when flames devoured parts of this architectural masterpiece. Now, the sky has bestowed a radiant smile, and the "signs of completion" have emerged over an area of about 6000 m², revealing the beginnings of the restoration process of the dazzling cathedral. This is "Notre-Dame de Paris", a cathedral that has brought life back to Paris, to France, to history, and to the entire world.
"Notre-Dame"... this majestic Parisian edifice adorned with ten bells, a symbol of national pride and guardian of a rich history. Among the oldest and most renowned monuments in the capital, it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Constructed over a span of 182 years, between 1163 and 1345, this cathedral is deeply intertwined with the history of France. The renowned French writer, Victor Hugo, immortalized it in 1831 in his work "Notre-Dame de Paris". It also witnessed the coronation of Napoleon Bonaparte and symbolized the liberation of France from German occupation in August 1944, to the day.
The French authorities, through the Paris prosecutor, have stated that the investigation into the fire that struck the cathedral is focusing on the trail of an "accidental fire" that occurred during restoration work carried out by competent professionals.
During his visit to the scene of the tragedy, French President Emmanuel Macron pledged to rebuild Notre-Dame, promising enhanced splendor within five years. He stated, "This disaster can become an opportunity for unity."
The French government appointed retired General Jean-Louis Georgelin to lead the Notre-Dame reconstruction team. Recently, he remarked, "In the coming months, the world, and particularly the French, will see the spire of the cathedral rise. At that moment, they will know that France's icon is back among them."
It's essential to emphasize that among the noblest acts accomplished by craftsmen, architects, engineers, security forces, and firefighters, and everyone who contributed directly or indirectly to the restoration of Notre-Dame, lies a combination of two elements: "silence" and "the spirit of life". This blend demonstrates the ongoing manifestation of the people's affection towards the wounded heart of their symbolic mother.
A specialist in the restoration of ancient stained glass, who removed most of the cathedral's stained glass for meticulous cleaning, shared, "It bears traces of oils left by millions of faithful and the soot from millions of candles." On his part, France's chief architect, Philippe Villeneuve, asserted, "On April 15, 2019, I was the most distraught man and the most overwhelmed architect on the planet. Today, I am the most fulfilled man and the most elated architect in the universe. I witness the resurrection of Notre-Dame, like a phoenix rising from its ashes to become a symbol of life and hope. Notre-Dame is like the sun that sets each day only to rise again at dawn."
Signs of conclusion are on the horizon. The French Minister of Culture, Rima Abd al-Malik, stated that Notre-Dame Cathedral is on track to permanently reopen its doors to the faithful and visitors by the end of 2024.
In conclusion, this monument ranks among the most famous cathedrals globally, attracting nearly 14 million visitors each year. Upon its reopening to the public by the end of 2024, it's expected that over 30 million tourists will visit in 2025, and more than 500 million viewers worldwide will have the privilege to witness its first celebrated mass.