Re-opening of Notre-Dame: ceremony today in Paris

Paris’ iconic cathedral finally reopens its doors after five years of post-fire restoration. A day full of celebrations and emotions, with international guests and reinforced security measures

Today, Saturday 7 December 2024, the long-awaited reopening ceremony of Notre-Dame, the majestic Paris cathedral that has gone through a long restoration phase after the devastating fire of 15 April 2019, will finally take place. The event marks a crucial date, not only for France, but for the entire world, as Notre-Dame represents a universal symbol of history, culture and spirituality.

Starting at 7pm, the cathedral will officially open its doors with a ceremony involving numerous international leaders. The reopening ceremony will take place in the presence of prominent figures, including French President Emmanuel Macron, future US President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, as well as other high-level guests. Despite the adverse weather forecasts, announcing winds of 65 to 80 km/h, the event will be held inside the cathedral, in agreement with the local authorities who took this decision for security and logistical reasons.

Security for the event has been guaranteed with the mobilisation of as many as 6,000 police officers and gendarmes, due to the high level of the ongoing terrorist threat. The Paris Police Prefecture has assured that all participants in the event will be protected in a context of maximum vigilance.

The official speech will be delivered by President Macron, who will kick off the celebrations. Among others present will be King Philippe of Belgium, Prince William of England, President Katerina Sakellaropoulou of Greece and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier of Germany. The ceremony will also have a special significance in view of the first official mass on the following day, Sunday 8 December, at 10.30 a.m., presided over by Cardinal Laurent Ulrich.

The mass will be a significant moment, which will be attended by numerous bishops and priests from all over the Paris region, as well as the Eastern-rite Catholic communities. Another mass, the one at 6:30 p.m., will be open to the public, with some 2,500 people expected. The event will be broadcast live by France Télévisions.

In addition, during the week that follows, the Notre-Dame cathedral will remain open until late in the evening, offering Parisians and tourists the opportunity to visit it and attend the daily masses. The restoration of Notre-Dame represents, after all, not only the recovery of a historical and religious heritage, but also a sign of hope and resilience for Paris, which has faced difficult times in recent years.

(Photo: © AdnKronos.com)

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