Malta Joins World In Weeping For Notre Dame As Iconic Cathedral Goes Up In Flames
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.
#France, #Europe, humanity: all of us have lost a lot today -JM #NotreDame
— Joseph Muscat (@JosephMuscat_JM) April 15, 2019
Very saddened by events at Notre Dame Cathedral. A symbol of universal heritage and culture. Paris in our thoughts. #PresidentofMalta#NotreDame #notredamedeparis #parisfire
— George Vella (@presidentmt) April 15, 2019
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 #NotreDame de Paris in flames is shocking and heartbreaking. 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. pic.twitter.com/gJGDOH8TTJ
— Adrian Delia (@adriandeliapn) April 15, 2019
Horrified at the tragic loss of religious and cultural heritage as we watch Notre Dame de Paris burning. Our prayers and support with the Archdiocese of Paris, with Paris, with France. pic.twitter.com/RZbDCfNgMe
— Bishop CJ Scicluna (@BishopScicluna) April 15, 2019
“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.”
Even in our sleep, pain which cannot forget
falls drop by drop upon the heart,
until, in our own despair,
against our will,
comes wisdom
through the awful grace of God.Aeschylus#NotreDameDeParis
— Matthew Caruana Galizia (@mcaruanagalizia) April 15, 2019
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
Heartbreak. No words to describe this tragedy. The world has lost part of its religious and cultural heritage. #NotreDame, #Paris, and the whole world are in shock. pic.twitter.com/NaWc3biCyQ
— Kurt Farrugia (@KurtFarrugia) April 15, 2019
This is indeed heartbreaking #NotreDame https://t.co/fchSfiCGMW
— Helena Dalli (@helenadalli) April 15, 2019
Heartbreaking. What a sad day for our world. #NotreDameCathedral #Paris pic.twitter.com/6LQF53FLy7
— Rosianne Cutajar (@RosianneCutajar) April 15, 2019
Paris is Burning ????#Heartbroken #NotreDame #Paris https://t.co/PmRpl1SzXp
— Pia Zammit (@MaltaDiva) April 15, 2019
Cover photo: Sky News