THE New York Times mentions a “resurrected” cathedral. More precisely, the architecture critic of the famous American daily, Michael Kimmelman, evokes a “kind of miracle”. An audience of heads of state and personalities participated, Saturday, December 7, in the inauguration of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral, rebuilt after the fire of 2019. Five years after its destruction by the flames, which had moved around the world, this 12th century Gothic masterpiece regained its prestige this weekend during a historic reopening. A “radiant limestone facade” and an “impeccable” interior, sums up the Wall Street Journal.
“It was like going back to medieval times and reliving the breathtaking wonder that Notre-Dame Cathedral would have inspired in the 14th century,” raves the British newspaper The Guardian. The British daily speaks of a “monumental achievement” for the 21st century. Same enthusiasm among the editors of Timescenter-right daily: “The first thing that strikes you about Notre-Dame is how light and bright it is now; that and the rich colors of the art that adorns its walls.” The media also takes the opportunity to remind you that this architectural marvel has a price, the 700 million euros injected into this renovation project.
Furthermore, “diplomacy was at the center of the celebratory evening, in the presence of 1,500 dignitaries, including Donald Trump, Jill Biden and Volodymyr Zelensky,” recalls The Guardian. For the American media, this reopening was an opportunity to witness the first steps on the diplomatic scene of the president-elect. “Notre-Dame Cathedral served as a luminous backdrop to the return of Donald Trump”, underlines the American television channel CNN. For Politicothe reopening ceremony serves as “a new chapter in the bromance between the two presidents.”
“A breath” in a France in crisis
The international press, however, is not fooled: it sees in this geopolitical coup an opportunity for Emmanuel Macron to maintain his influence abroad, while he “strives to stabilize a government in ruins”. Politico quips: “There is no more ideal moment, in the middle of the worst political crisis that France has known in a generation, to show what his country does best.” Same story in Spain, in the columns ofEl Paíswho sees the inauguration of Notre-Dame as “a breath of fresh air”, while the political movement and the leadership of Emmanuel Macron “have fallen into ruin”.
The Iberian press also had its own internal concerns. In question, the notable absence of the king and queen of Spain. “The Maison du Roi clarified that at no time was the presence of the royal family at the inauguration ceremony of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral planned, and provided no explanation as to the reasons for this absence “, deplores the Catholic media The Debate. On the Italian side, the Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, was warmly welcomed by the President and the First Lady, Brigitte Macron. “Lots of smiles between the three and a few jokes exchanged in Italian in front of the photographers,” the daily newspaper seems to be satisfied with.El Corriere Della Serra.
Beyond political issues, the Irish Times takes advantage of this French news to rediscover the work of Victor Hugo, “a tragic Parisian novel from the 19th century which weaves a cast of rich and morally diffuse characters beyond Quasimodo.” Finally, the newspaper The evening take the opportunity to refer to their own unfinished project, the Palais de Justice, under construction for forty years. “If it is a miracle, then we must continue to pray,” they sigh.