About 40 leaders from around the world gather in Paris for the grand opening of the cathedral "Notre Dame" restored after the devastating fire five years ago, BNR reported.
Among the invitees is the newly elected President of the USA Donald Trump, the Bulgarian head of state Rumen Radev will also be present.
A storm of rain and politics batters France ahead of the much-anticipated event - the opening ceremony of the fire-revived Notre Dame cathedral will be held indoors instead of outdoors due to bad weather. The spectacular concert with which Paris wants to stun the world is to be broadcast on tape together with the film about the fire and the restoration of the cathedral from the ashes, before the first church service begins.
President Emmanuel Macron will deliver a state of the art speech just three days after his emergency address to the French following the vote of no confidence that brought down the French government. For the second time since the Olympics, France welcomes a major event with a prime minister in resignation and in political limbo.
However, the opening of "Notre Dame" gives rise to international diplomacy. Macron will receive US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian Head of State Volodymyr Zelensky separately.
Security measures are similar to those of the Summer Olympics, and there are huge screens outside for the audience.