Quizlet set
https://quizlet.com/406802997/notre-dame-flash-cards/
Nytimes interactive presentation
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/04/17/world/europe/notre-dame-cathedral-fire-spread.html
Interview with the witnesses
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7B9jzdRYF0
Notre-Dame in flames! April 15th, 2019
The cathedral on fire
1.A major fire began in the attic of the 850-year-old Gothic cathedral on Monday April 15 at around 7pm local time. Within minutes, it reached the roof destroying the wooden rib-vaulted ceiling, the spire, the extraordinary three "rose" stained-glass windows and the many historical artefacts inside the cathedral, including a 17th-century pipe organ (one of the largest in the world).
2 A spokesman for the Cathedral reported: "a fire alarm went off almost immediately and we began the fire drill procedures at once". Thanks to the quick reaction of staff and rescue teams, many artefacts were rescued from the flames. Some onlookers said that the smoke and flames could be seen from many parts of the city, until it spread further leaving everyone with the feeling of complete devastation.
3 As the fire raged, the citizens of France and people around the world observed how quickly the flames managed to damage this historically and architecturally significant landmark.
4 After nine hours, the firefighters finally managed to extinguish the fire. The total loss is estimated to be above ø37 million ($48 million), and the reconstruction work could take from 10 to 20 years to complete.
5 Although the exact cause of the fire remained unclear, there was some speculation about the possible fault of the conservation workers who had left the site several hours before the disaster.
6 The importance of place and time It is believed that before the arrival of Christianity in France, a temple dedicated to the Roman god Jupiter stood on the same spot. Later, it was replaced with an Early Christian basilica (a special church), which was also completely demolished to make place for the new Notre-Dame de Paris (`Our Lady of Paris').
7 To be more precise, it was in 1163 when the Notre Dame Cathedral was commissioned by King Louis VII, who wanted it to be a symbol of Paris's political, economic, intellectual and cultural power at home and abroad. The city had emerged as the centre of power in France and it needed a religious monument to match its new status.
8 It took 200 years to complete the interior and exterior of the cathedral the two towers on the west facade were built in the early 13th century. The north tower was accessible to visitors via a 387-step staircase, while the south tower was home to the cathedral's 10 bells.
9 A symbol of power lost in fire Among the most famous of the bells, the bourdon named Emmanuel has tolled at most major events in the history of France, including the coronation of kings, papal visits and to mark the end of two world wars. It might be a long time before it will toll again.
10 Not all lost Thankfully, the cathedral has been immortalised by the latest technology such as Google images (which will help to recreate its details) and it will also be remembered in popular culture thanks to Victor Hugo and his famous novel The Hunchback of Notre Dame, later turned into a Disney film (about Quasimodo and his life at the cathedral).
11 So with financial support, the restoration of the Notre-Dame cathedral will be possible. There is hope, as citizens of many countries have already started collecting money in order to rebuild this important symbol of Gothic architecture and European history.
Sources: The Guardian, BBC, Wikipedia