Sharon Mak
Official Languages Officer II
Civil Service Bureau
Gothic architecture graces Europe with many fine examples, such as the magnificent Strasbourg Cathedral and the impressive Canterbury Cathedral. But Notre Dame de Paris, though modest in size, remains the jewel in the crown. The Gallery of Kings on the west façade, the majestic 8,000-pipe Grand Organ in the interior as well as its collection of relics such as the Crown of Thorns and the Tunic of Saint Louis make this edifice stunningly unique.
I visited Notre Dame on a crisp winter morning in 2018. Upon stepping into the hallowed nave, I was enveloped in an otherworldly tranquillity. Constructed between the 12th and 14th centuries, this iconic monument showed traces of weariness in its look. Its divine beauty, however, did not seem to have tarnished with time. Inside the sacred walls, I was struck by the intricate architectural and decorative features of this house of worship. Gazing at the rose windows, I could almost see beholders bathing in an ethereal glow like angels. My imagination started to take flight, bringing forth in my mind images of Jacques-Louis David’s Coronation of Napoleon and Josephine in Notre Dame Cathedral and Victor Hugo’s Hunchback of Notre Dame, reminiscences of the glorious past of this place.
Indeed, it was a delight to explore the surroundings after my pilgrimage and get immersed in the serene ambience of Paris. Nothing soothed my soul quite like relishing coffee at a cafe along the Quai de Montebello, watching the gentle flow of the Seine. Basking in the warmth of the sun, I marvelled at the awe-inspiring beauty of the cathedral from a distance, and found solace in quiet moments of replenishment. Overwhelmed by a whirlwind of bliss and an indescribable lightness of being, I was unaware of the fragility of this historical and cultural gem, let alone the peril it would face in just a few months.
On the evening of 15 April 2019, news of a devastating fire shocked the world. The blaze erupted under the eaves of the roof of Notre Dame, raged for hours and threatened to devour the entire cathedral. Billowing smoke, visible from miles away, cast a shadow over everyone’s heart. The city wept, as if tears could somehow quench the burning flames. Restless and helpless, people gathered along the Seine to hold vigils, just like a family at the sickbed of a loved one. A sombre crowd started saying prayers and singing Ave Maria outside the holy place. I was one of the millions who watched the live streaming of the disaster in horror, sharing the distress of the weeping city.
Cleaving the sky like an axe, the inferno continued its rampage. A large portion of the roof quickly succumbed to the merciless blaze. The most poignant moment came when the iconic spire, an indispensable part of the city’s skyline for centuries, toppled and crumbled. Four hundred firefighters battled relentlessly through the night, striving hard to prevent the cathedral from full collapse. Much to the relief of those who held Notre Dame dear, the final embers were put out the following morning.
In an unexpected twist of events, the Grand Organ miraculously survived the disaster, remaining almost entirely intact. Damage and loss of the cathedral’s invaluable treasures were not as severe as art and culture aficionados had feared. Reconstruction and restoration works involving artisans and professionals from various disciplines commenced shortly after the catastrophic blaze. Funds from all corners of the globe poured in for the rebirth of Notre Dame. From the ashes of tragedy rose a new beginning.
The resurrection of Notre Dame is much more than a proof of its perseverance. It embodies human courage and faith to find hope even in the darkest of times. The Lady of Paris will rise again, with her splendour restored and spirit revived. Her unfading legacy will continue for all to behold. The imminent reopening of the cathedral in December this year is not only the end of a Herculean task, but also the celebration of a new chapter. The story of Notre Dame is far from over and will be an inspiration for generations to come.
