French President Emmanuel Macron gave a speech on Saturday evening at the reopening ceremony of Notre Dame de Paris, marking a key moment in the cathedral's five-year restoration after a devastating fire in April 2019.

As the bells of the iconic cathedral tolled once more, Macron declared: "This evening, the bells of Notre Dame toll again and the organ will soon wake up. A familiar music of hope will ring in Paris and the world."

Macron emphasized the symbolic importance of the cathedral, a monument that has stood for centuries and witnessed countless historical moments.

"We took inspiration from those who, since the 13th century, have contributed to the construction of this cathedral," he said, recognizing the generations of workers who have preserved the cathedral's heritage over the centuries.

He also highlighted the collective efforts involved in the restoration, noting that more than 2 workers from around the world participated in the monumental task.

Macron also recalled the dark hours after the fire, when Notre Dame was almost lost forever.

"The news spread quickly, with flames, smoke and falling peaks. But in this disaster, we saw people from all over the world come together to protect Notre Dame."

Macron ended his speech by underlining the powerful message that Notre-Dame de Paris sends to the world: "It reminds us that even our most daring dreams can only be realized with the will and commitment of everyone."

In gratitude to those who worked tirelessly to restore the cathedral, Macron raised a toast to the collective spirit that made this achievement possible. "Long live Notre-Dame de Paris, long live France!" he shouted before the crowd burst into applause. /AA