December 8th, 2024 marked the official reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France, 5 years after the devastating fire on the 15th of April 2019. The fire spread through the upper part of the church, leaving only one-third of the wood and metal roof remaining, and demolishing the cathedral’s spire. The reopening was attended by around 1,500 dignitaries, including US President Donald Trump, former US First Lady Jill Biden, Britain’s Prince William, as well as Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky, underscoring the importance of the cathedral on both a spiritual and cultural scale. There was a $1 billion global effort to rehabilitate the Notre Dame de Paris, demonstrating its significance as more than a French monument.
The reopening follows multiple year-long efforts to preserve the iconic structure while emphasizing the rich history of the Notre Dame de Paris. Built in 1345, it is more than just a church; it is also a historical landmark, symbolizing nearly 700 years of French history, architecture, and resilience. The reopening stands as a true testament to the essence of the cathedral: a physical representation of French faith and tenacity, respected worldwide and by the millions of tourists who would visit it every year before the fire.
Our Lady of Paris stands as a vital monument by housing many religious and historical artifacts, such as the Crown of Thorns, believed to have been worn by Jesus Christ during his crucifixion. In addition, Notre Dame also holds pieces of the True Cross, believed to be a fragment of the cross with which Jesus was crucified. Lamentably, a separate fragment of the Crown of Thorns, together with artifacts from two saints, was destroyed in the fire. The rest of the Crown was successfully saved and returned to Notre Dame on the 13th of December after 5 years, where it was being stored at the Louvre. Moreover, the cathedral has also been the setting for royal weddings and the coronation of Napoleon Bonaparte as Emperor in 1804, marking its historical significance. The structure is also well known for its Gothic architecture, with its spires, intricate sculptures, and detailed stained-glass windows, all of which tell the story of France’s religious and cultural evolution.
The April 2019 fire was completely disastrous and was extensively streamed and broadcast on every news network around the globe while it occurred. The cause of the fire is still unknown, and shock was at the forefront of people’s minds as they watched the catastrophe unfold. “We express our closeness with French Catholics and with the Parisian population. We pray for the firefighters and for all those who are trying their best to tackle this dramatic situation,” stated a Vatican spokesperson. UK Prime Minister at the time Theresa May also expressed her condolences, expressing her thoughts at the time “[were] with the people of France.” This international recognition symbolizes the cathedral’s value was beyond French borders and culture.
The fire began at around 6:30 PM local Paris time, however, it was only successfully put out the following morning, after 12 hours. The Parisian firefighters managed to ensure that no lives were lost. The 600 firefighters who courageously risked their lives during this process were honored on April 18th, three days after the fire, at the Paris City Hall with a Bach violin concert and a reading of Victor Hugo’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame, the classic novel inspired by the cathedral. Nonetheless, the brave and continuous efforts of the firefighters were tributed once again during the 2024 reopening, as dozens of firefighters paraded and were applauded by the public.
The restoration took over 2,000 workers over 2,000 days. Paris Archbishop Laurent Ulrich initiated the inauguration ceremony by knocking on the monument’s doors three times, a tradition that symbolizes the entry of the people into the Lord’s temple. The Archbishop also symbolically held a specially designed crosier (a staff carried by bishops to signify their pastoral authority) that came from the cathedral’s fire-scorched beams, hinting at the resurrection of the cathedral, as well as the strength and renewal found in the face of adversity.
When recalling the day of the fire, sophomore Laura Russowsky, a French student who was living in Paris at the time, says what struck her most was seeing so many people in tears. She also describes the surreal experience of speaking with her French friends as they watched the disaster unfold live on TV. “Even though I’m Jewish,” she explains, “that day still held meaning for me. I think it was the shock of witnessing such a tragedy in real time. Even though I no longer live in France, I can still appreciate the significance of Notre Dame’s reopening. It’s a powerful symbol of resilience and strength, even for those who aren’t particularly religious.” Laura’s words underscore how the fire and reopening of the cathedral resonate with various values, especially the ability to find meaning and empathy in difficult times, regardless of religious and cultural backgrounds. At its core, this restoration highlights the importance of values of unity and purpose, mirroring Graded’s own dedication to maintaining core values such as respect, kindness, curiosity, integrity, and perseverance. According to the findings of the Values Education Good Practice Schools Project funded by the Australian Government, keeping school values contributes to calmer and more focused classroom environments, helps students develop greater reflection capabilities, and increases the positive relationships between students and teachers. Through the study of the Notre Dame reopening, it’s possible to see the importance of core values beyond the classroom, serving as guiding principles that inspire individuals to navigate life with greater insight and understanding of the world around them.
In combination with the inauguration ceremony, the cathedral also held its first mass in years, fully open to the public. While this marks the revival of a historical and cultural symbol, it also highlights the enduring power of values like resilience, faith, and unity, seen in the French and global reactions to the 2019 fire. The restoration of Notre Dame stands as a testament to the resilience of shared values, uniting communities across diverse backgrounds.
Sources
Associated Press. 2024. “Notre Dame Cathedral Set to Reopen Five Years after Devastating Fire.” AP News, December 8, 2024. https://apnews.com/article/france-notre-dame-reopening-paris-macron-f2543dc70b4d89b256cde9aa53bbbd44.
France 24. 2019. “World Watches and Weeps as Notre-Dame Cathedral Burns.” France 24, April 16, 2019. https://www.france24.com/en/20190416-world-watches-weeps-notre-dame-cathedral-fire-france-paris.
Friends of Notre-Dame de Paris. n.d. “Notre-Dame Cathedral.” Friends of Notre-Dame de Paris. Accessed February 17, 2025. https://www.friendsofnotredamedeparis.org/notre-dame-cathedral/#:~:text=The%20cathedral%20of%20Notre%20Dame,flock%20to%20this%20architectural%20marvel.
KSH Roma. n.d. “The Coronation of Napoleon – 1804.” KSH Roma. Accessed February 17, 2025. https://ksh.roma.it/romanticism/1804#:~:text=On%20the%202nd%20of%20December,the%20authority%20of%20the%20Pontiff.
McCausland, Phil. 2019. “Notre Dame Fire: What Was Damaged and What Was Spared?” NBC News, April 16, 2019. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/notre-dame-fire-what-was-damaged-n995371.
