Paris – Berlin (TEH) – On the first anniversary of the Notre-Dame fire, French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed his ambitious five-year plan to rebuild the cathedral: “We will do everything we can to meet this deadline” he said in a video message. Shortly after the fire, he had promised to rebuild the world-famous landmark in central Paris within five years. In his message, the President described the cathedral as a “symbol of the resilience of our people”. Germany once again provided support for the restoration of the cathedral on the anniversary: Notre-Dame went up in flames a year ago, large parts of the cathedral were badly damaged, and the crossing tower on the roof collapsed.
According to initial knowledge, the fire was probably caused either by a fault in the electrical system or an unexpressed cigarette, and there have been delays on the construction site since then since the coronavirus crisis has shut it down. In the past, experts had questioned a complete reconstruction within five years, the safety work on the sacred building is still not complete. Macron emphasized that the work on the construction site was of course currently put on hold due to the health crisis, but it would get going again as soon as possible. Today’s times call for bravery and no wait-and-see attitude. “There was a time of trial and emotion, then a time of reflection.
But now the time for reconstruction has started. ” He also thanked everyone who saved Notre-Dame and is now rebuilding the centuries-old cathedral. “We don’t forget anything. Neither the heroic wave of courage that saved the cathedral from the flames, nor the tremendous wave of generosity that arose in the hours and days that followed. “Germany is also involved in the reconstruction of the building. “”It is a matter of the heart of Germany to continue to support France in this enormous task,” emphasized Minister of Culture Monika Grutters in a joint communication with the Franco-German Minister for Culture, NRW Prime Minister Armin Laschet, and the President of the German Unesco Commission, Maria Bohmer (all CDU).
As an example, Grutters gave glass workshops of German cathedral huts. “France could rely on our support and technical expertise.” From Bohmer’s point of view, “this project of Franco-German solidarity can be realized through the Cologne cathedral building hut”. This was predestined to support French colleagues, and Laschet called the project a symbol of Franco-German friendship. “The reconstruction of Notre-Dame has the chance to become a European symbol of hope.” French Minister of Culture Franck Riester thanked and called the proposal in the communication “a strong symbol of solidarity that reminds us of how close the fates of ours.” two nations are connected “.
There are no major events related to the fire on the anniversary due to the coronavirus. In the evening at 8 p.m. the bell Emmanuel was to ring in the south tower of the cathedral in memory of the fire.
