Trump’s visit is an important diplomatic victory for President Macron, who is embroiled in domestic politics.
PARIS The whole world mourned on April 15, 2019, when the world’s most famous cathedral, Notre Dame in Paris, was engulfed in flames.
From Chamonix in the Alps Lucas Moullier happened to drive past the burning cathedral in a taxi at the exact same moment.
– I will never forget that sight. I was in Paris for the first time and saw Notre Dame in flames. I’ve been wanting to go there ever since.
The five-year wait will soon be over as the cathedral opens this weekend.
The president is coming on Saturday Emmanuel Macron hosted by the opening ceremony, whose security arrangements have been compared to last summer’s Olympics. The opening program includes at least musical performances by well-known French artists and a speech by the president.
Also included is Trump
The event will also be attended by the future president of the United States Donald Trump. It is the Republican politician’s first visit abroad after the presidential election in November.
For Macron, Trump’s visit is an important diplomatic victory.
Macron will have the opportunity to promote issues related to the war in Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East. Trump’s future positions regarding support for Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East have raised concerns, especially in Europe.
of Le Monde magazine according to Macron and Trump called last weekend and talked briefly about these themes. Discussions are expected to continue in Paris.
The opening of Notre Dame is an important feather in Macron’s cap. The president’s popularity among the French has dropped like a cow’s tail recently. The country’s domestic politics are in chaos after last summer’s dissolution of parliament and parliamentary elections.
“It’s great that the cathedral is of interest”
On the streets of Paris, Trump’s visit evokes mixed reactions.
Lucas Moullier thinks it’s great that the cathedral is getting attention outside of France as well.
– So much work was done to fix it that international recognition is deserved.
From Châteauroux in central France Noelle Roux is visiting Paris with her friends. He is not exactly interested in Trump’s visit.
– I don’t understand that heads of state are invited here, even though there is no money. We are asked to pinch, but they just celebrate. On the other hand, if he donated money to Notre Dame, so what.
Living in the suburbs of Paris Christophe Petion attended Notre Dame regularly before the fire. He is delighted that the future leader of a great power will pay homage to the cathedral.
– Notre Dame is a worldwide symbol. The fact that Donald Trump is coming to see it is a really great thing.
Money poured in for the cathedral from the United States
The first pictures of the restored Notre Dame were already seen last week, when President Macron and his spouse visited the cathedral.
The restoration of Notre Dame has been an incredible effort. Their price tag is estimated at around 700 million euros.
A huge amount of donations, a total of 843 million euros, rained down on the cathedral.
There have been 340,000 donors. Among them are billionaires, athletes, heirs and also quite ordinary small donors who wanted to support the church’s repair work. Donations have come from over a hundred countries.
The United States has been a major donor. In total, Notre Dame has received 60 million euros from the country.
A total of two thousand workers participated in the renovation and construction of the cathedral. The challenge was to find professionals who had the know-how to renovate a church built in the Middle Ages.
On Sunday of this week, the first mass will be held in Notre Dame, which will be attended by church representatives in addition to the president. From Sunday, the cathedral is also open to the public.