US President-elect Donald Trump has confirmed his attendance at the grand reopening of the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, scheduled for Saturday, December 7, 2024.
The event marks the culmination of a multi-year restoration project following the devastating fire that ravaged the iconic French landmark in April 2019.
In a post on his Truth Social network on December 2, Trump expressed his honor to be part of the ceremony, highlighting the significance of the cathedral’s restoration.
“It is an honor to announce that I will be traveling to Paris, France, on Saturday to attend the re-opening of the Magnificent and Historic Notre-Dame Cathedral, which has been fully restored after a devastating fire five years ago,” he wrote.
The fire, which broke out on April 15, 2019, caused extensive damage to the cathedral, including the collapse of the spire and the destruction of much of the wooden framework.
The restoration effort was both a national and international undertaking, involving hundreds of artisans and specialists working tirelessly to restore the structure to its former glory.
French President Emmanuel Macron visited the site on Friday, December 1, to inspect the progress of the restoration. He praised the work carried out by the teams, calling it “the impossible,” referring to the challenge of recovering from such significant damage.
Macron had set an ambitious goal for the cathedral’s restoration to be completed within five years, a target that has now been achieved.
The French government has also emphasized that the restoration effort not only seeks to restore Notre-Dame to its pre-fire condition but to make it “even more beautiful” than before.
The restoration project, which involved nearly 250 companies and hundreds of experts, has been one of France’s most significant cultural and architectural undertakings in recent years.
The work was financed by a combination of public and private donations, with nearly €700 million of the €846 million raised from more than 150 countries earmarked for the project.
The reopening of Notre-Dame will be a historic occasion, with global leaders, dignitaries, and key figures from the worlds of politics and culture expected to attend.
Trump’s participation adds to the high-profile nature of the event, which also comes amid heightened attention on French-American relations.
In addition to political figures, other notable personalities have been involved in the ceremony.
French President Macron had initially invited Pope Francis to attend the event, but in a surprising move, the Vatican announced in September that the Pope would not be attending the reopening.
Instead, he will be visiting Corsica the following weekend, where he is scheduled to make a significant visit to the French island.
While Pope Francis will not be attending the ceremony, the restoration of Notre-Dame has remained a symbol of resilience and international cooperation, drawing widespread praise from around the world.
For many, it stands as a testament to the enduring cultural importance of the cathedral, not only to France but to global heritage.
As Trump prepares for his trip to Paris, the event on December 7 promises to be a momentous occasion, marking the successful restoration of one of the world’s most renowned landmarks and reflecting France’s commitment to preserving its rich cultural history.
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