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Malta Joins World In Weeping For Notre Dame As Iconic Cathedral Goes Up In Flames

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Today is a dark day for the world. The iconic Notre Dame in Paris, which has stood for 850 years, has gone up in flames and risks total destruction. A major operation is underway to put out the blaze but the cathedral’s spire and roof have collapsed and France’s junior interior minister has admitted firefighters may be unable to save it.

And Malta has joined the rest of the world in paying tribute to this monument of mankind.

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said that France, Europe and humanity have lost a lot today, while President George Vella described Notre Dame as “a symbol of universal heritage and culture”.

“Watching Notee Dame de Paris in flames is shocking and heartbreaking,” Opposition leader Adrian Delia tweeted. “The Notre-Dame belongs to Paris, France, Europe and all humanity. My prayers tonight are with the French people and with all those fighting the fire. We share your pain.”

“Horrified at the tragic loss of religious and cultural heritage as we watch Notre Dame de Paris burning,” Archbishop Charles Scicluna said. “Our prayers and support with the Archdiocese of Paris, with Paris, with France.”

The University of Malta’s Department of Art and Art History issued a particularly poignant statement.

“There are no words to describe this terrible moment,” it said. “History is crumbling down before our eyes and there is nothing that can be done about it.”

Meanwhile, journalist Matthew Caruana Galizia posted a famous quote by the Greek dramatist Aeschylus.

“He who learns must suffer. And even in our sleep pain that cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart, and in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom to us by the awful grace of God.”

And tributes kept flooding in

Cover photo: Sky News

Let’s hope the Notre Dame can be salvaged

READ NEXT: Come For The Game, Stay For The Art: Malta’s Notre Dame Gate Transformed Into Interactive Theatre Experience This Weekend

Tim is interested in the rapid evolution of human society and is passionate about justice, human rights and cutting-edge political debates. You can follow him on Instagram or Twitter/X at @timdiacono or reach out to him at [email protected]

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