By Necva Tastan Sevinc
ISTANBUL (AA) - French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday delivered a speech on the evening of Notre Dame de Paris’s reopening ceremony, marking a pivotal moment in the cathedral's five-year restoration following the devastating fire of April 2019.
As the bells of the iconic cathedral rang once again, Macron declared, "This evening, the bells of Notre Dame ring once again, and the organ will soon awaken. A familiar music of hope will resound in Paris and the world."
Macron highlighted the symbolic importance of the cathedral, a monument that has stood for centuries and witnessed countless historic moments.
"We drew inspiration from those who, since the 13th century, have contributed to building this cathedral," he said, recognizing the generations of workers who have preserved the cathedral's legacy over the centuries.
He also emphasized the collective efforts involved in the restoration, noting that more than 2,000 workers from across the globe participated in the monumental task.
"This is the fruit of a worldwide fraternity, uniting people of all religions, nationalities, and walks of life," he added.
Macron also recalled the dark hours following the fire, when Notre Dame was almost lost forever.
"The news spread quickly, with flames, smoke, and falling spires," Macron reflected.
"But in this disaster, we saw people from all over the world come together to defend Notre Dame."
His words resonated with the solidarity and hope that emerged in the aftermath of the tragedy, as people from various nations expressed their support for the restoration of the beloved cathedral.
Macron concluded his speech by underlining the powerful message Notre-Dame de Paris sends to the world: "It reminds us that even our boldest dreams can only be realized through the will and commitment of everyone."
With gratitude to those who worked tirelessly to restore the cathedral, Macron raised a toast to the collective spirit that made this achievement possible. "Long live Notre-Dame de Paris, long live France!" he exclaimed before the crowd erupted in applause.