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Preparations for the reopening ceremony of Notre Dame Cathedral

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Notre Dame Cathedral reopens this weekend five years after a massive fire destroyed the historic Paris landmark. As VOA Paris correspondent Lisa Bryant reports, political and religious leaders, as well as numerous visitors, are expected to attend the events, which mark a bright spot in a turbulent year for the world.

It took five years, 2,000 artisans and workers and more than $700 million to restore Notre Dame Cathedral, a medieval Gothic masterpiece.

Many residents of Paris appreciate the work of its reconstruction.

"I am proud that we managed to rebuild Notre Dame Cathedral in five years, following old techniques and respecting a cultural heritage that belongs not only to France, but to the whole world," says Dang Tran, a resident of Paris.

In April 2019, many people feared that the fire had completely destroyed Notre Dame Cathedral.

French President Emmanuel Macron promised that it would be restored within five years.

Millions of dollars were collected for its reconstruction and craftsmen from all over the world were hired.

Father Gilles Drouin was engaged in the interior renovation of the cathedral.

"I hope the reopening will be, like the fire, a moment of national unity, which is very rare in such a polarized country. I hope the ceremony will bring people together, because we will reopen our cathedral. It is the cathedral of all French people, not only of the Catholic community," he said.

In October, the bells of Notre Dame Cathedral were heard for the first time in five years.

World dignitaries have been invited to the reopening ceremonies and Mass to be held at Notre Dame Cathedral on Saturday and Sunday.

Pope Francis said he will not attend.

"Notre Dame is the bishop's cathedral, he has to reopen the cathedral. So, from a religious point of view, I think it is completely logical that the reopening ceremonies should be led by the archbishop of Paris," says Gilles Drouin of the Catholic Institute of Paris.

Up to 15 million people a year are expected to visit Notre Dame Cathedral after the reopening. Even with scaffolding, she looks stunning.

"I have known about the cathedral since I was a young girl. I've seen it in cartoons too. It's so strange to see it up close. I thought it was smaller," says Italian tourist Martina Felici.

"Stone is always more stable than man. I think the Notre Dame Cathedral will stand for many more centuries," says history teacher Nicolas Pidia.

Notre Dame Cathedral fans hope he is right and that the solidarity that helped rebuild the cathedral will last./ VOA