President-elect Donald Trump has declared his intention to grace the grand reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, a significant event scheduled for the coming Saturday.
The renowned cathedral, a symbol of historical and architectural grandeur, had been severely damaged in a fire incident in April 2019. Since then, it has been under extensive restoration.
According to The Post Millennial, Trump expressed his enthusiasm about the upcoming event, stating, "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 further lauded French President Emmanuel Macron for his commendable efforts in ensuring the cathedral's restoration to its original glory, adding, "President Emmanuel Macron has done a wonderful job ensuring that Notre Dame has been restored to its full level of glory, and even more so. It will be a very special day for all!"
The Notre Dame Cathedral, a Catholic edifice and a world heritage site, has its construction roots dating back to the 12th century. The 2019 fire incident resulted in injuries to three emergency workers, smoke damage to artworks and religious relics, and the collapse of the burning roof. In response, President Macron pledged to restore the building within five years, a promise that has been fulfilled four months ahead of the deadline.
The cathedral's lead roof was supported by a wooden lattice work known as the "forest," constructed from centuries-old oak trees. The restoration process required the felling of approximately 1,000 oak trees from 200 French forests to rebuild the roof and spire. The selected oaks, aged between 150 to 200 years, were cut down in March 2020, before the sap rose in the trees to prevent humidity in the wood.
Friends of Notre Dame Paris, an organization deeply involved in the restoration process, revealed that the wood was dried for 12-18 months. Interestingly, the cathedral was already earmarked for restoration projects at the time of the fire. However, the fire, which originated under the eaves, necessitated a more comprehensive restoration plan. The grand reopening of the cathedral, therefore, marks a significant milestone in preserving this historical monument, and a testament to the resilience and dedication of those involved in its restoration.
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