A ceremony is organized this April 15 in honor of part of those who restored the cathedral. The President of the Republic, the Prime Minister and several members of the government will grant the Legion of Honor or the Order of Merit to a “Notre-Dame promotion”.
Carpenters, sculptors, stone tailors, wood specialists, scaffolders or safety agent … Emmanuel Macron will chair Tuesday April 15 a decoration ceremony of a hundred craftsmen and employees of the reconstruction of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral, six years for day after the fire. “The president will pronounce a speech to salute people who have overcome technical challenges, and who are the pride of France”indicates the Élysée. “He will also salute the public success of this restoration, which contributes to the influence of France and attracts 30,0000 people per day, who came from around the world”.
The ceremony will take place at 6 p.m., in the great village hall at the Élysée, a symbolic moment since it was at this precise time when the disaster declared itself inside the frame, April 15, 2019.
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A difficult choice
The “Notre-Dame promotion” for the Legion of Honor and the National Order of Merit was unveiled January 18 and strives to cover all the trades and hierarchical levels. In addition to Philippe Jost, president of the public establishment in charge of the catering site of the cathedral (raised to the rank of commander of the Legion of Honor), the chief architect Philippe Villeneuve, the conservative Marie-Hélène Didier, the stage manager of the cathedral Laurent Prades or the archaeologist Christophe Besnier, of the scaffolders, decorators, conductors of works, covers and covers carpenters are part of the list.
It was obviously difficult to choose who would be honored by the Republic. Philipe Jost asked companies to designate the “winners” themselves knowing that the Presidency of the Republic wanted to avoid rewarding only the directions. Faced with a difficult choice, some companies went so far as to let their employees decide between them.
“The list has ensured a balance, between civil servants and non-functionaries, men and women, and respecting all the trades, as well as the geographic diversity since many of the heritage companies, the arts of art or the building are in the regions”, continues the Élysée.
“Transform coal into art”
33 people will receive the Legion of Honor, and 67 others, the National Order of Merit. The President of the Republic, will put a number of them himself, but for questions of “Fluidity” and for “Show collective commitment” Public authorities on this project, the Prime Minister, the Minister of Culture and several members of the government should also pin decorations.
If the feeling of pride is very widespread among the recipients – especially within building employees, a sector that is not used to being put forward – there are of course disappointed among the failed. Didier Durand, former president of Pierre Noël (masonry and size stone), and present the day after the fire, is obviously hitting to have been forgotten. “During his last site visit on November 29, the President of the Republic considered that we had transformed coal into art. It is true that the day after the fire, we picked up, sorted and evacuated the debris so that others can work on the site. So why were the black mouths not honored? »»he wonders, injured. The conservative Antoine-Marie Préaut, today at the General Inspectorate of Cultural Affairs, refuses to give him the national order of merit as long as a project of contemporary stained glass (6 bays in chapels), which he disapproves of, is underway.
“Through the 100s, the presidency will thank all those who have committed themselves thoroughly for a common cause”estimates the Élysée. Beyond, the President of the Republic should, in his speech, “Indicate how the spirit of Notre-Dame can perpetuate itself in a number of other projects, in the coming years”, We add around him.