Notre Dame. Andrzej Duda at the reopening of the cathedral in Paris

A line of cars with official guests from all over the world pulled up in front of the cathedral. President Andrzej Duda he was among the leaderswho arrived within the first quarter of an hour. There was an exchange of words, a greeting with the French presidential couple and a group photo.

Leaders of states and governments, representatives of European monarchies and international organizations are guests of President Emmanuel Macron, each greeting is accompanied by a group photo against the background of a brightly lit, elaborate facade Our Lady.

At the reopening of Notre Dame, which in 2019 it suffered a fire and since then it has been undergoing renovation, in addition to the President of Poland, there was, among others, president-elect of the United States Donald Trump or the president of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskywho talked together with Emmanuel Macron before the ceremony began.

Moreover, in Paris, Italy is represented by the Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and president Sergio Mattarella. The first lady of the USA also visited the restored cathedral Jill BidenPresident of Germany Walter Steinmeier, as well as the leaders of, among others: Estonia – Alar Karis, Finland – Alexander Stubb and Lithuania – Nauseda Gypsies and the Chancellor of Austria Karl Nehammer.

The president of Georgia, Salome Zurabishvili, and the president of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, as well as the prime ministers of Armenia – Nikol Pashinyan and Serbia – Milosz Vuczevic – also appeared.

The ceremony at Notre Dame began before 20. Archbishop of Paris Laurent Ulrich opened it by knocking on the main door of the cathedral with his crosierand the response was the singing of a psalm performed by the Maitrise Notre Dame cathedral choir. This the temple's symbolic response – silent after the fire – at the archbishop's call. With the third knock and the third singing of the psalm, the door opened.

When the archbishop, after the gesture of blessing, crossed the threshold of the cathedral with the sign of the cross, the official guests, including the presidential couple, were already gathered inside. France. Those entering gathered at the baptismal font at the entrance. It is one of the modern liturgical equipment that was added to the renovated temple. The film frames recall the moment of the fire on April 15, 2019.

They passed through the main nave firefighterswho saved the temple, and there was a storm of applause in the cathedral. A huge illuminated inscription appeared on the facade of Notre Dame: Merci, which means “thank you” in French.. After a while, thanks also appeared in various languages.

Emmanuel Macronspeaking to the audience, emphasized the “gratitude of the French nation” for those who helped save and rebuild Notre Dame. He thanked craftsmen and masters of various specialties, engineers and historians, conservators and architects, as well as those who donated to the reconstruction of the cathedral. – Every help and gesture was essential. We have rediscovered what great nations could do – achieving the impossible, Macron added.

The French president said that the temple was saved by “bravery and courage”, as well as “brotherhood” that came from other continents and different religions. As he emphasized, the sound of the bells of Notre Dame, which rang again this evening, is the “music of hope”.

Macron also appealed to “treasure this lesson of humility and will.” – Let us never forget that everyone counts and that the greatness of this cathedral is inseparable from the work of everyone – he added.