Notre-Dame: who will be there and who won’t, between politics and culture, at the inauguration of the restored cathedral

There’s very little time left: December 7th the Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral reopens to the public after thefire that occurred on April 15, 2019 had almost completely destroyed it and the five years of restoration work, which cost over 700 million euros.

An event long awaited by Parisians, but not only, which will be sealed by a majestic inaugural ceremony desired by President Emmanuel Macron himself and in which they will participate international personality from the political, ecclesiastical and civil world.

Fifty heads of state and government were invited from the Elysée and the Quai d’Orsay, as well as several prominent religious figures starting from Pope Francis, who however declined the invitation.

Among the most anticipated at Notre Dame undoubtedly Donald Trumpwho confirmed his presence via his social network Truth. “I have the honor to announce that on Saturday I will travel to Paris, France, to attend the reopening of the magnificent and historic Notre-Dame Cathedral, which has been completely restored,” he wrote. Accompanying him will be his wife and future first lady Melania.

For a future president who anticipates the role by participating in the ceremony in an almost official capacity, a sitting president steps aside. Joe BidenIn fact, he will remain in the White House, leaving his wife Jill the task of representing him on French soil.

Even if there is no official confirmation, the Ukrainian head of state could also be in Paris Volodymyr Zelenskiyperhaps encouraged precisely by the presence of Trump, who has long claimed to have a solution for the end of the Russian war in Ukraine and who has never hidden the desire to go down in history as the US president who brought the conflict to an end.

He has already made it known that our president will not be missing, Sergio Mattarellawho will miss the premiere at La Scala in Milan to be on the big day in Paris. At his side, in all likelihood will be his daughter Laura, who accompanies him on many official occasions.

The president of the European Commission also responded affirmatively to Emmanuel Macron’s invitation Ursula von der Leyenthe Greek president Ekateríni Sakellaropoúlothe German head of state Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

Absolute uncertainty, however, regarding the arrival or otherwise of many crowned heads. If the presence of British King Charles III is very likelythere is little chance of seeing his wife, as well as Regina, Camilla who has just recovered from bad pneumonia and would therefore prefer not to leave London.

Instead there should be the King Mohammed VI of Morocco and Abdallah II of Jordan.

The Pope’s flat rate aside, there will obviously be numerous religious figures in the cathedral, among whom the Archbishop of New York, Timothy, stands out. Michael Dolanand the archbishop of Constantinople, new Rome, Bartholomew I.

Therefore, many famous names will travel to Paris for an event considered according to the police headquarters “very high level of terrorist threat” and which will therefore be subjected to an exceptional security system, similar to the one put in place during last summer’s Olympics and which will see deployed 6,000 police officers and gendarmes and access to the square allowed only to guests.

What does the ceremony program include?

There ceremony of inauguration of Notre-Dame will be divided into three moments. The first, secularwill be opened by Emmanuel Macron’s speech from the square in front of the cathedral while the second, religiouswill consist of the celebration of mass. There will then be a moment to close the day cultural and artistic which will see performances by various artists and musicians inside the cathedral itself, including the cellist Gautier Capuçon and the violinist Renaud Capuçon. I reserve the right to many other names that should enrich this moment, even if persistent rumors speak of Paul McCartney and Pharrell Williams.

The inaugural ceremony will open a week of celebrations during which it will be possible to visit the cathedral with extended hours compared to the norm and which will allow entry until 10pm. From 16 December the canonical opening hours will return: 7.45am – 7pm. Entrance will be free.