From the filmmaker Jean-Jacques Annaud to the stylist Jean-Charles de Castelbajac via the opera singer Julie Fuchs, personalities give their view of Notre-Dame, which inspired their work or nourished their imagination.
Jean-Jacques Annaud, filmmaker and director of the film “Notre-Dame burns” (2022)
“When Emmanuel Macron announced that Notre-Dame would be restored in five years after this monstrous fire, I really thought that it was not going to do it. Today, I am waiting for the happiness of rediscovering this cathedral. I lives 100 meters away and I experienced the reconstruction intensely.”
“I take this tragic fire as an immense evil for a good: since the tragedy, all safety procedures have been reviewed in the cathedrals and our most beautiful historical monuments.”
“Notre-Dame is an international star of great beauty who was attacked by the most charismatic of villains: fire. Of all the actresses I have had the chance to direct, Notre-Dame is without a doubt the most worthy, but also the most fragile.”
Note that the film “Notre-Dame is burning” by Jean-Jacques Annaud is broadcast on RTS1 on December 7, 2024 at 9 p.m.
Julie Fuchs, soprano who performed in the cathedral in December 2020 and will sing at the reopening
“In December 2020, I remember that there were a lot of precautions taken, particularly in terms of safety. We sang with helmets, safety shoes. There was the feeling of entering a very damaged grand lady , all weakened.
“I had the impression of bringing a little life, gentleness, art, music and confidence in life into this fragile building. It was a unique moment because I had the impression that “We had to take extreme care of what we brought within these walls.”
“Perhaps it was our turn as an artist to place a balm on these traumatized walls.”
Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, stylist and creator of the new liturgical outfits at Notre-Dame
“Notre-Dame is an extraordinary place because there are no tourists, there are visitors, and there is this universal dimension. We feel the power and we felt a universal sadness when Notre-Dame was burned. It was a moment of terrible emotion, like a premonition for our world in difficulty.
“But I am a tireless optimist. So I came home. I began to draw the roof of Notre-Dame in stained glass, to install rainbows, angels. And my utopia took over But I never thought at this moment that I would be summoned to participate in this wonderful project, in this Notre-Dame workshop which allows us to have this appointment with this wonderful universal lady.
