Restoration of Notre-Dame spells hope for Macron

After five years of the diligent and meticulous restoration work carried out by hundreds of carpenters, stonemasons, stained-glass artisans — recalling the unknown stonemasons, sculptors who had worked centuries ago to build the Notre-Dame church rebuilt the monument that was partially destroyed in a fire five years ago. The restoration cost $750 million, and all of it came through donations from all over the world.

On Saturday, French President Emmanuel Macron accompanied by many world leaders including United States President-elect Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attended a grand mass to mark the re-opening.

President Macron is facing a deep political crisis, and the restoration of the iconic monument seemed to come as a whiff of good news, he said using a characteristically French hyperbolic turn of phrase: “The planet was shaken on that day [when fire broke out on April 15, 2019]. The shock of the reopening will — I believe and I want to believe – be as strong as that of the fire, but it will be a shock of hope.”

France, which is a staunchly secular state, is a deeply Roman Catholic society, and the restoration of the famous church has stirred emotions of many among the French. Jacques, a 21-year-old engineering student, told the French news agency AFP: “Beyond the reconstruction work, it’s beautiful because it shows that the church still has a role, discreet and small, but it still has a role to play in France.”

It is not surprising that Macron saw the point and acknowledged it in an indirect way. He said, “We have rediscovered what great nations can do – achieve the impossible.” In the midst of discord and discontent plaguing France on the political, economic and social fronts, the re-opening of Notre-Dame has lifted the country’s spirits.

Beyond its religious significance, which is not to be downplayed, the Notre-Dame Cathedral is a universal symbol of human endeavour and faith. It has been the belief of many 19th century and early 20th century liberals that art, including literature and music, transcend boundaries and unite human beings. The medieval cathedral in Paris is an emblem of the unity of humankind.

The political highs and lows that nations experience pass away, but great art, including grand architectural monuments like the Notre-Dame, remain. They remain the enduring symbols of historic memory more than the glories of war.

The monument has been attracting millions of visitors every year before the fire – the number was 14 million in 2019 – and it is expected that it will draw 15 million in 2025. So, monumental art has this power to draw people, and make them forget the differences, and divisions.

It is unrealistic to believe that great art will usher in peace and harmony. There will be political turmoil to face as Macron and the French realise it only too well, but an occasion like the restoration of a grand monument like the Notre-Dame provides a moment’s respite from the daily grind. It is uplifting in its own way.

In some ways, the restoration of the historic cathedral should give hope to the French that they can overcome their political and economic challenges, and that there is no need to be downhearted. The political and economic situation is indeed gloomy. But France has been through many a critical moment in its political life. The rebuilt church should give then an assurance of hope that challenges can be overcome.

The French needed something to celebrate and the restoration of Notre-Dame is a deserving occasion to do so. It should also help the French to pause and take stock of issues, of what is important and what unimportant.