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Transcript/Script((PLAYBOOK SLUG: NOTRE DAME RECONSTRUCTION
HEADLINE: Paris’ Notre Dame Comes Closer to Reopening
TEASER: Craftsmen rushing to finish first step of Notre Dame’s iconic spire as fire-damaged medieval cathedral prepares to reopen next year
PUBLISHED: Tuesday, 3/21/2023 at 12:14p
BYLINE: Lisa Bryant
DATELINE: BRIEY, FRANCE
VIDEO EDITOR:
PRODUCER:
SCRIPT EDITORS: pcd, LR
VIDEO SOURCES: VOA ORIGINAL, AFP
PLATFORMS: WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO _x_
TRT: 2:55
VID APPROVED BY: Reifenrath
TYPE: TVPKG
EDITOR NOTES: FOR PRODUCTION TUESDAY))
((INTRO))
[[Next month marks an important step in the reconstruction of Paris’ iconic Notre Dame cathedral, heavily damaged by fire four years ago. The base of the new spire is to be built, and officials hope to reopen the cathedral by the end of next year. From Briey, [[Bree-ay]] France, where the work on the spire is being done, Lisa Bryant reports.]]
((NARRATOR))
More than 20 craftsmen, hundreds of hours and thousands of trees — that’s what it takes to rebuild just the base and the spire of Notre Dame.
These carpenters are rushing to finish the base. It’s expected to be on the cathedral by April 15th — marking exactly four years since a massive fire ravaged Notre Dame. The spire itself is planned to be up by year’s end.
[[RADIO VERSION: Eric Van Berkel is one of the carpenters.]]
((Erik Van Berkel, Carpenter —Male, IN ENGLISH — VOA ORIGINAL))
“So, this part, which you can see here, takes a lot of the structure and the weight. It’s the basis for the whole spire.”
((NARRATOR))
Like other craftsmen here, Van Berkel has worked on historic monuments before. This project is different.
((Erik Van Berkel, Carpenter —Male, IN ENGLISH — VOA ORIGINAL))
“I’m really grateful for this opportunity, because it’s just amazing and really exceptional. And it’s the kind of work once in a lifetime.”
((NARRATOR))
The fire at the medieval Catholic cathedral shocked the world. For many, of all different faiths, it was a tragedy.
Its reconstruction is also highly symbolic.
[[RADIO VERSION: General Jean-Luis Georgelin heads the Notre Dame restoration effort.]]
((Gen. Jean-Louis Georgelin, Notre Dame Restoration Chief — IN ENGLISH, VOA ORIGINAL))
“In 2024, we will have two major events in France. We have the organization of the Olympic games, in summer, and we say we will reopen the cathedral five years after the fire — that is to say, in 2024. I deeply think the reputation of France is at stake.”
((NARRATOR))
Workshops across France — and even in Germany — are tasked to deliver on that promise. Each specializes in a particular craft.
For now, visitors can see the cathedral from the outside — and its artifacts at special exhibits.
Rebuilding Notre Dame’s spire was hotly debated. Should France choose to replicate the elegant 19th century work by French architect Eugene Viollet-le-Duc? Or go for something radically new? Authorities finally chose the first option.
[[RADIO VERSION: Notre Dame's former chief architect, Benjamin Mouton, explains why.]]
((Benjamin Mouton, Former Chief Architect of Notre Dame — IN ENGLISH — VOA ORIGINAL))
“If we don’t rebuild it as it was, we would break down the architectural unity of the monument … // … and something of the authenticity of the cathedral. Because // authenticity is not only material, authenticity is also spiritual. And here we can see a part of both.”
((NARRATOR))
Notre Dame’s reopening promises to be a global celebration. But for these workers it will be bittersweet. The end of years of hard work — and an extraordinary adventure.
((Lisa Bryant for VOA News, Briey, France))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)BRIEY, FRANCE
BylineLisa Bryant
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
