 "Paris is Donald Trump's first overseas trip as US president-elect")
US President-elect Donald Trump announced that he would be travelling to Paris this weekend, which will be his first overseas trip after winning the November 5 US election.
Also, Trump’s upcoming trip marks his first outside of the US since May 2023, when he visited his golf properties in Ireland and Scotland.
Why did Trump choose Paris?
Trump will be visiting Paris to attend the re-opening of historic Notre Dame Cathedral. The 13th-century cathedral is regarded as one of the best specimens of French Gothic architecture. It was destroyed by fire on April 15, 2019.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said: “It is an honor to announce that I will be traveling to Paris, France, on Saturday to attend the re-opening of the Magnificent and Historic Notre Dame Cathedral, which has been fully restored after a devastating fire five years ago.”
“(French) President Emmanuel Macron has done a wonderful job ensuring that Notre Dame has been restored to its full level of glory, and even more so. It will be a very special day for all!” Trump said.
The invite-only ceremonies are expected to be high-security affairs with about 50 heads of state and government expected to attend.
Trump and his French ties
Over a year after taking office in 2018, Trump welcomed Macron to the White House during his first state dinner.
Following Trump’s election win last month, Macron was among the first world leaders to congratulated him.
“Ready to work together as we did for four years. With your convictions and mine. With respect and ambition. For more peace and prosperity,” the French leader posted on X.
On Saturday (November 30), Trump said he would nominate Charles Kushner, the father of his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, to serve as ambassador to France in his incoming administration.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsAt the end of his first term in 2020, Trump pardoned the elder Kushner, years after he pleaded guilty to 18 counts of tax evasion, witness tampering and making illegal campaign donations in 2005 and served 14 months in prison.
Notre Dame Cathedral reopening ceremony
The reopening ceremonies will be held on December 7 and 8 after which there will be a slew of activities until December 15, including two performances of Magnificat by Jean-Sébastien Bach on December 17 and 18.
Late in the afternoon on the reopening day, the Archbishop of Paris will preside over the reopening service, which will be attended by Macron and Trump, as well as politicians, benefactors, representatives from all Parisian parishes, members of the cathedral chapter, and Parisian clergy.
During the ceremony, the Archbishop will strike the closed door of Notre-Dame with his staff. The cathedral will “respond” with the singing of Psalm 121, three times.
On the third occasion, the doors of the cathedral will open as the previously silent building reverberates with the chorus of gratitude.
The Archbishop of Paris will preside over the first Mass, which will include the consecration of the high altar, on December 8.
Nearly 170 bishops from France and around the world will participate in the celebration, along with one priest from each of the 106 parishes in the Diocese of Paris, and one priest from each of the seven Eastern Catholic Churches, accompanied by faithful from these communities.
Why a grand reopening?
The construction of Notre Dame cathedral began in 1163 and took over a hundred years to complete. However, in 2019, a significant portion of this medieval Gothic architectural marvel, which is considered as a significant cultural landmark, got destroyed in the blaze.
The restoration work took over five years and was done with the help of donations received totalling over 840 million euros.
After the reopening, the cathedral is expected to see 14 to 15 million visitors annually.
With inputs from agencie.
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