Notre Dame Reopens With Stellar Music Performance and Rituals

At 06:00 am on Saturday, December 7, 2024 (GMT+1) prestigious guests began to arrive outside France’s iconic Notre Dame Cathedral for its formal reopening after five years.

By 10.00 am, thousands are now gathered to witness history, the newly renovated cathedral dripped nothing but grace shocking all who stared at it in awe.

For the first time since a devastating fire got close to razing the 861-year-old landmark down, the hard work of the architects and constructors who worked on the renovation could be addressed and appreciated. The firefighters who faced the inferno reducing its potency were given a standing ovation.

Emmanuel Macron was present with other invited dignitaries. The French president rained praises on the workers for “realizing the impossible.” The cathedral facade glowed messages of gratitude.

In the rest of his message, Macron left a prudent reminder saying; “Notre Dame tells us that our dreams, even the most audacious, are only possible with the will of each and the engagement of all. Our cathedral reminds us that we are the inheritors of a past that is greater than us, which can disappear on any day.”

US President-elect Donald Trump, First Lady Jill Biden and Prince William were among the 1,500 guests at the reopening celebration.

Halfway into the day, the first series of activities inside the renovated “Grande Dame de Paris” concluded. Guests present stood for the French anthem ‘La Marseillaise’ and the bells of Notre Dame rang.

Though absent, a message from Pope Francis was read out to the audience. The pope was represented by 21 new cardinals in the Vatican on Saturday appointed.

Notre Dame Ceremony

At 7 p.m. local time, a cheer could be heard from the crowd outside the cathedral as its bells rang out to announce the beginning of the ceremony. Musical performances and hymns highlighted the rest of the night.

President Macron and his wife Brigitte stood outside the building’s entrance door and were entertained by members of the clergy and musical performers.

Pianist Lang Lang, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, and soprano Pretty Yende, Benin-born Angelique Kidjo were among the artists that performed at the ceremony, which was led by Archbishop Laurent Ulrich.