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DJ Ruchir on Dua Lipa performing his mashup: Little credit would have been good

DJ Ruchir Kulkarni was at Dua Lipa’s concert, when she sang ‘Levitating’ and followed it up with his mashup of the song with ‘Woh Ladki Jo’. The feeling was surreal because only the previous day, he had asked his followers on Instagram whether she would play it, and while some of them were unsure, it was a dream come true for the Mumbaikar, who hails from Borivali, and has been a DJ for 17 years now. “I was absolutely stunned, thinking ‘what is happening?’. And, people were singing, and that was the loudest song; the other songs were good, but this one was next level.”  In the days since the reels of Dua Lipa playing the mashup have gone viral, there has been a discussion about due credit being given to the original singer, Abhijeet Bhattacharya, and composer, Anu Malik, as well as DJ Ruchir, who created the mashup. “I had hope I would get some credit. I agree with Abhijeet Ji that credit should be given, but it's okay because we don't know how they work in terms of what is the international procedures. So, I'm glad they played my mashup, but yeah, little credit would have been good," he expresses.   While the song has been immortalised by Shah Rukh Khan and Twinkle Khanna in the film, ‘Baadshah’, its virality in reels has only picked up in the last few years, and one that every millennial loves. It was no different for the city-based DJ who was going through his collection of 90s hits in 2021, just after the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. He adds, “I made this mashup in 2021. I was making a lot of mashups at that time. I was going through my 90s playlist checking for the old songs and came across 'Woh Ladki Jo', which used to be one of my childhood favourite songs. I have seen 'Baadshah' hundreds of times. I truly love that song. They had not made a remix of the song, and they had not remade it yet fortunately, so I had the opportunity to make it. Since ‘Levitating’ was trending at that time, I decided to use both those songs.” But Ruchir points out that they are not natural matches. However, he put his experience of over 14 years at the time to make it in a unique way. “They are both like totally different keys – where ‘Levitating’ is in Bm and ‘Woh Ladki Jo’ is in D, and there are different parts to it. So I just brought them at a middle point at C sharp minor and I made the mashup.” While it may seem easy, the Mumbaikar says, this was actually the difficult part. “When you change the key of the song, the quality drops. Every time I changed the key, I had to make sure the quality doesn't drop too much and it sounds good.” In hindsight, Ruchir believes he made two critical mistakes in the mashup. One was that he uploaded it only on reels and the second was that the duration of ‘Levitating’ was very big, which meant that when you shared it on reels, you only get 15 seconds, and by the time, his mashup came up, it would skip to the next reel. It was only in 2022 that one of his influencer friends told him to reduce the duration for it to get picked by the algorithm. “So, I edited it and posted it again on October 23 in 2022 before Diwali and it went viral and a week later when it was Shah Rukh Khan’s birthday, it went even more viral.” Unfortunately, this comes with a lot of other challenges, as he says, there were a lot of people who stole the mashup and reuploaded it as their own but fortunately, he had posted it on YouTube first, and that’s why people knew it was his. Today, there are about 125,000 reels that have been made with the mashup.  It has been a long journey for the Borivali resident, who has been a DJ and music producer, but he is humble and content. Some of his other music that he posts on his YouTube includes the likes of ‘Roko Roko’, ‘Nadaniyan’ on Zee Music and even ‘Midnight’ that he released earlier this year. Ask him which artist he would like to work with and he says, “I would like to work with Dua Lipa because I love her music and production style. My dream artist is The Weeknd, so I would love to collaborate with him.” If the popularity of ‘Levitating’ x ‘Woh Ladki Jo’ is anything to go by, then DJ Ruchir Kulkarni has a lot more to offer, especially to the 10,000 new followers that he has amassed over the last two days since the Zomato Feeding India Concert performance by Dua Lipa. 

03 December,2024 07:58 PM IST | Mumbai | Nascimento Pinto
Devotees and visitors gather to attend mass during the exposition of St Francis Xavier in Old Goa in November. Photo Courtesy: Karan Pillai

St Francis Xavier's Feast: Goa CM Sawant greets devotees amid ongoing exposition

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday extended warm wishes on the feast of St Francis Xavier, saying it is an occasion of spiritual renewal and urged people to pledge to build communities of love and brotherhood. The 45-day-long decennial exposition of the sacred relics of St Xavier began in Goa on November 21. A large number of people gather in Goa on December 3 every year to celebrate the feast of St Francis Xavier, the patron saint of the coastal state. Sawant in his message lauded the theme -- 'We are Messengers of the Good News' -- for the solemn exposition. "We are fortunate to witness this practice of the decennial exposition of the sacred relics of St Francis Xavier. This solemn exposition held every ten years is an opportunity to introspect on the teachings of the saint and an occasion of spiritual renewal and also a time to rekindle in the hearts of the laity the desire to be the messenger of the good news," he said. The chief minister expressed hope that the decennial exposition will help foster harmony among Goans. "I also take this opportunity to extend my warm welcome to pilgrims for the event which will close on January 5, 2025," he said. Sawant commended the work of the exposition committee formed to oversee the running of the function, which includes religious ceremonies bringing to light Goa's cultural and religious legacy. "Let us on this day pledge to build communities of love, peace, justice, harmony and brotherhood. Let them (visitors) also see the warmth of our light by reaching out to the marginalised and the less privileged in whatever way we can to alleviate their sufferings," he added. The CM said the Goa government has time and again demonstrated its ability and competence in hosting occasions of such magnitude which attract people from India and the world over. "It reiterates the government's stance of being Swayampurna and Atmanirbhar in providing world class facilities and also enables the locals to derive benefit from hosting such mammoth functions as it attracts people from all across the globe," he added

03 December,2024 01:54 PM IST | Panaji | PTI
During the French Revolution, which saw waves of protest against the Church, Notre Dame wasn't exactly treated like a revered cathedral. Photo Courtesy: AFP

Notre Dame: Five things you probably didn't know about the cathedral in Paris

Notre Dame Cathedral, which is set to reopen to the public on Sunday after a five-year restoration following a devastating fire, stands as a jewel of Gothic architecture, a symbol of Paris and a tourist mecca. But behind the grandeur of the cathedral, which took 182 years to build between the 12th and 14th centuries, lie some surprising stories.  From medieval myths to modern-day mysteries, here are five special things to know about this Paris landmark: The heart of France, literallyNotre Dame's importance goes beyond its architecture and history it's literally the point from which all roads in France begin. In front of the cathedral, embedded in the cobblestones, lies a modest bronze-and-stone slab with the inscription ¿point zéro des routes de France,¿ meaning starting point of the roads of France.' This plaque marks the starting point for measuring distances between Paris and other cities across the country. While the plaque was installed in 1924, the idea of a national ground zero dates to 1769. King Louis XV envisioned a central reference for France's growing network of roads, a concept that tied the nation's geography to its heart in Paris. The great gargoyle mythThose scary stone creatures on Notre Dame might seem ancient, but not all of them are what they appear. The actual gargoyles, which are monster-shaped gutters used to drain rainwater, have been around since the time of the cathedral's construction. But the dramatic, monster-like figures often depicted on postcards and movies are chimera, and they're much newer. In the 19th century, the architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, who was in charge of renovating the then-decaying building, added these creatures to add to the mystique of the cathedral. Viollet-le-Duc drew inspiration from Victor Hugo's famous book 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame' to create these demonic animal figures with personified expressions. How to tell them apart? Gargoyles resemble horizontal spikes coming out of the facade and have holes in their spouts to allow water to drain.A revolutionary makeoverDuring the French Revolution, which saw waves of protest against the Church, Notre Dame wasn't exactly treated like a revered cathedral. In 1793, revolutionaries stripped it of its religious symbols and renamed it 'Notre-Dame de la Raison' (Our Lady of Reason). Instead, the cathedral hosted festivals celebrating science and Enlightenment ideas, and for a short time, it was even used as a wine warehouse. Religious services resumed in 1795, and Notre Dame regained its sacred status on the impulse of French emperor Napoleon I, who held his coronation there in 1804, immortalised in a famous painting by Jacques-Louis David. The beheaded kings who returned centuries laterIn 1792, revolutionaries also decapitated 28 statues from Notre Dame's facade, mistaking them for French monarchs. They were actually ancient kings of Judah, biblical ancestors of Jesus. The heads were thought lost forever, possibly destroyed or sold as building materials. But in 1977, workers renovating a courtyard in Paris' 9th arrondissement uncovered hundreds of fragments of stone sculptures. Experts confirmed they were the missing heads of Notre Dame's kings. How they ended up buried there remains a mystery. Today, 22 of the heads have been restored and are displayed at the Cluny Museum in Paris. Their discovery is considered one of the most remarkable archaeological finds in the city's modern history. A fiery wake-up call on lead dustThe 2019 fire that almost destroyed Notre Dame revealed a serious health risk. When the flames melted the roof, tons of toxic lead dust were released into the air and settled across Paris. The problem? Authorities discovered there were no rules to measure the danger of outdoor lead dust. This wasn't just a Paris issue major cities like London and Rome, and even the World Health Organization, don't have guidelines for outdoor lead pollution. The Notre Dame fire highlighted a hidden problem, forcing officials to take a closer look at their safety standards. It took four months for the city to complete a deep-clean operation of the sidewalks even as tourists, residents and merchants walked streets around the cathedral daily.

03 December,2024 01:17 PM IST | Paris | AP
Prateek Kuhad

The highly stimulating experience of living life is my only muse: Prateek Kuhad

There are moments in life you want to live alongside someone who makes you feel at home, lending unexpected support or just the assurance that things will fall into place. For many, Prateek Kuhad’s songs have been that companion. Whether it’s love or loss, happiness or melancholy, the singer-songwriter has been able to touch hearts with his heartfelt lyrics and honest voice. The ‘Kasoor’ singer is currently performing across India as part of his ‘Silhouettes Tour 2024’. Live performances, he believes, require focus that differs from studio recordings. “In the studio, I can take my time. Live performances, on the other hand, are more high-pressure as there are no re-takes. But that’s what makes it fun,” Kuhad tells mid-day. However, he says, “What I am not a fan of is the constant travel and being away from home for long stretches. When you’re touring internationally, it’s 5 shows in a week sometimes, and that can be a bit challenging.” Despite the challenges, he "likes feeling the energy of the audience at times and the focus of performing on stage.” Few artistes have been able to blend melodies and emotions with the relatable rawness that Kuhad brings to his music, a quality that has defined his art since he started his professional journey in 2011. Ask him how his music has evolved over the years, and he is quick to say, “I can’t really answer this question. I just write and make my music and I’m not trying to evolve per se. Some people see an evolution, others don’t, it’s subjective.” What’s not subjective is the devoted fanbase that the music artiste enjoys across the world, with many feeling that his songs either speak to them or for them. Kuhad seems to be a man of few words, but has aced the art of communicating through his music. What inspires his songwriting? “The highly stimulating experience of living life is my only muse,” he remarks. The Silhouettes Tour, presented by Johnnie Walker Non-Alcoholic Refreshing Mixer, has travelled to 40+ cities across the US, Canada, the UK and Europe, and is now in India. Sharing his experience, he states, “It's been fantastic – stimulating, exhausting and humbling all at once. The fact that I get to meet so many fans, see the smiles on their faces is what keeps me going. We are going to be back with Silhouettes India Tour in December with five more shows across Kolkata, Guwahati, Lucknow, Indore and Ahmedabad,” he concludes. Know more about Prateek Kuhad The singer-songwriter shares his favourites in music and interests beyond the art form. Favourite music genre: Singer-songwriter/folk Favourite music artist: Impossible to pick one Favourite song from your discography: Tere Hi Hum Instrument of choice: Guitar One artist you would love to collaborate with: Maggie Rogers Interests beyond music: Running, cooking and baking, visual design and cinema One advice you carry in your journey: Stay real

03 December,2024 12:55 PM IST | Mumbai | Raaina Jain
Image for representational purposes only (Photo Courtesy: iStock)

This term has surpassed ‘demure’ and ‘romantasy’ to be Oxford Word of the Year

Continuing its annual tradition, Oxford has announced its ‘Word of the Year 2024’! Surpassing major trends of 2024 like ‘demure’ and ‘romantasy’, ‘brain rot’ has been declared the word of the year. According to the official statement by Oxford University Press, the term is defined as “the supposed deterioration of a person’s mental or intellectual state, especially viewed as the result of overconsumption of material (now particularly online content) considered to be trivial or unchallenging”. It may also refer to “something characterised as likely to lead to such deterioration”. Use of the word The first recorded use of the word was found in 1854 in Henry David Thoreau’s book Walden, which reports his experiences of living a simple lifestyle in the natural world. In this, Thoreau criticised society’s tendency to devalue complex ideas, or those that can be interpreted in multiple ways, in favour of simple ones. He wrote, “While England endeavours to cure the potato rot, will not any endeavour to cure the brain-rot – which prevails so much more widely and fatally?” In modern context, the term has gained significance particularly in the context of overconsumption of low-quality, meaningless content on social media, highlighting the negative impact of such consumption. Process behind choosing the word Oxford language experts created a shortlist of six words to reflect the moods and conversations that have helped shape the past year. After two weeks of public voting and widespread conversation, they combined the public’s input, voting results and language data to declare the word of the year. Other shortlisted words were demure, lore, dynamic pricing, romantasy and slop. The experts noticed that ‘brain rot’ gained new prominence this year and the term increased in usage frequency by 230 per cent between 2023 and 2024. Casper Grathwohl, President of Oxford Languages, said, “Looking back at the Oxford Word of the Year over the past two decades, you can see society’s growing preoccupation with how our virtual lives are evolving, the way internet culture is permeating so much of who we are and what we talk about.” “I find it fascinating that the term ‘brain rot’ has been adopted by Gen Z and Gen Alpha, those communities largely responsible for the use and creation of the digital content the term refers to. These communities have amplified the expression through social media channels, the very place said to cause ‘brain rot’. It demonstrates a somewhat cheeky self-awareness in the younger generations about the harmful impact of social media that they’ve inherited,” he added. Also Read: Australia bans social media use for children below 16 years: Can this be an effective solution?

03 December,2024 11:21 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
The 'Beetlejuice Beetlejuice' film pays tribute to the original film by using 'Day O' with a new version. Photo Courtesy: Mid-day file pic

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice: Know more about these songs in the Tim Burton film

Almost 36 years after Tim Burton's Beetlejuice released in 1988, the sequel 'Beetlejuice Beetlejuice' finally came to theatres in September earlier this year. While it has received mixed reviews from loyalists and critics, the music is a complete treat for every 90s kid who watched every kind of horror or horror comedy over the last 30 years.  The film has phenomenal acting that are reminiscent of classic Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Catherine O'Hara from the original cast. It also has Jenna Ortega, Monica Bellucci, Justin Theroux and even Willem Dafoe. While one can dissect the acting, what stands out the most is Danny Elfman's music, and the use of classic songs in the film. Combining sounds from the 80s and 90s, the Original Soundtrack takes many back to the time they were children. Incidentally, the film completed its shoot on November 30 in 2023 Beyond the OST, the film, which is on BookMyShow Stream, is a treat for lovers of 80s and 90s music if not before or after. It makes use of quite a few classic songs that one can't possibly not enjoy while watching the film.  Day - O (The Banana Boat Song)While the original film used Harry Belafonte's hugely popular 'Day-O' song, the new film does another melodious version of it. Sung by Alfie Davis and The Sylvia Young Theatre School Choir, it is hauntingly beautiful as the Deetz family mourns the death of Lydia Deetz’s father, Charles.  Right Here Waiting If they got a version of Belafonte's song, they did not miss out on using ‘Right Here Waiting’ by American singer-songwriter Richard Marx. Incidentally, it released a year after the original film but made it to the film in the most romantic fashion, as Beetlejuice sings it to Lydia Deetz, and gets every fan of the song singing almost immediately.  Tragedy The latest film also features another very dramatic song ‘Tragedy’ by Bee Gees, who released it in 1979. Released as a part of their album ‘Spirits Having Flown’, it reached the top of the UK Singles Charts the same year.   

02 December,2024 08:10 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Europe ended the two-day festival after performances on the second day by Restless Desire, Shanka Tribe and Indus Creed. Photo Courtesy: Meghalaya Tourism

Me Gong Festival: Europe performs in India after 36 yrs in Meghalaya

The fourth edition of the Me•Gong Festival 2024 came to a close with a trailblazing performance by the renowned European rock band, Europe. The event was graced by the presence of Meghalaya chief minister Conrad K Sangma. The chief minister welcomed the band Europe and other performers to Meghalaya and Garo Hills. He mentioned that many people in the state and the entire Northeast region had grown up listening to their songs, and it was a dream come true for many. Sangma also noted that the region had a strong influence of rock music from the 80s and 90s, and that the Me•Gong Festival had attracted a large number of fans from across the country. “We're thrilled to perform at Me•Gong Festival in Garo Hills, it's incredible that our music has reached this far corner of the world,” said Joey Tempest, Europe's lead vocalist. “I recall our frantic fans in 1988, and we're excited to experience the same energy here. This visit to Garo Hills will undoubtedly inspire our future lyrics,” he added. Tempest praised the breathtaking landscape of Garo Hills. “This band is still one of the best on the planet, and our impact continues to be huge.” With conviction, he declared, "Music will never die! Rock music lives on, underlying everything.” In a lighthearted moment, Tempest quipped, “Garo Hills meets Gora (White)!” The two-day festival, which began on November 29 witnessed a massive turnout of over thousands of people on the first day alone. The first day featured captivating performances by singer Gajendra Verma, India-based rock band Euphoria, and DJ Udita Goswami. The second day of the event included the Meghalaya Grassroot Music Project (MGMP) stage which featured local talents like Sans the Clothes, Wangkimit, Strange Origins, and Ahaia. The evening performances by Restless Desire, Shanka Tribe, Indus Creed, and Europe got the audience in lakhs jumping. The Me•Gong Festival upholds the rich cultural heritage of the Garo community. The event featured handloom and handicraft exhibitions with demonstrations from local artisans weaving traditional Garo attire and a culinary showcase of authentic Garo food such as Panta Bhaat, Nakham Bitchi, and Wak Pura. Sessions and workshops where visitors learned traditional Garo weaving techniques and crafted items like bamboo baskets and beaded necklaces were also available. Furthering the festival’s commitment to environmental sustainability, there was a strong implementation of eco-friendly practices, including eco-friendly waste disposal bins and plastic-free zone. Additionally, promotion of local materials and ingredients in exhibitions and the food court was focused alongside a collaboration with local environmental organisations for tree-planting initiatives during the event.  

02 December,2024 06:32 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Image for representational purpose only. Photo Courtesy: Mid-day file pic

Mumbai records over 1.20 lakh property registrations till now in 2024: Report

The city of Mumbai is projected to record over 9,419 property registrations in November, generating more than Rs 826 crore in revenue for the state exchequer, according to a report on Saturday.  Revenue collections inched close to the 11,000 crore milestone in November — the fastest growth in a decade — with a 10 per cent rise (YoY). In the 11 months this year, Mumbai recorded 1,27,987 property registrations, marking a 12 per cent year-on-year increase. This sustained activity in property transactions reflects increasing economic prosperity and continued sentiment toward homeownership among Mumbai's residents. “Mumbai’s property market continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience and adaptability to evolving buyer preferences. The sequential dip following the festive-driven surge in October reflects a natural phase of market consolidation,” said Shishir Baijal, chairman and managing director, Knight Frank India. Significantly, the increasing demand for premium properties and larger living spaces underscores a decisive shift towards quality, value, and long-term investment in Mumbai’s ever-dynamic real estate landscape, he added. Higher value properties worth Rs 2 crore and above make up over 23 per cent of the property registrations, up from 17 per cernt earlier. Transactions in this segment totalled to 2,147 properties. Meanwhile, the share of properties valued at less than Rs 50 lakh dropped sharply, falling from 28 per cent in November 2023 to 20 per cent this month. Compared to the November last year, property registrations noted a modest decline of 3 per cent, while stamp duty collections increased by 16 per cent year-on-year, driven by a notable rise in high-value transactions, according to the report by Knight Frank India. On a sequential basis (month-on-month), property registrations saw a decline of 27 per cent, with revenue collections decreasing by 31 per cent. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.

01 December,2024 03:31 PM IST | Mumbai | IANS
The music concert will be headlined by Dua Lipa but will also see other performers like NAV take to the stage. Photo Courtesy: Zomato Live

From Dua Lipa to NAV: Here's the full line-up of Zomato Feeding India Concert

Zomato Feeding India Concert is all set to electrify Mumbai on November 30 at MMRDA Grounds in BKC. Many Mumbaikars and Indians music fans are excited to witness global pop sensation Dua Lipa, who will headline the concert, delivering a high-energy performance of her viral hits like 'Houdini', 'Levitating', and 'Don’t Start Now'. A week before the concert, the full line-up has been announced. Joining the star-studded lineup is Canadian rapper and producer, NAV, making his highly anticipated India debut. The lineup also features a stellar cast of talent, including JONITA, Talwiinder, Lothika, Ishani X Bobkat (IB Inc.) and OG SHEZ. The concert brings together artists, changemakers, philanthropists, celebrities, and citizens to unite to raise awareness about hunger and malnutrition in India and building a hunger and malnutrition-free nation.  Limited additional tickets available on the Live tab of the Zomato app.

30 November,2024 04:10 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Ed Sheeran (File Pic)

Ed Sheeran coming to India in 2025; announces biggest-ever tour in the country

British musician Ed Sheeran is coming to India in 2025 for his biggest-ever tour of the country! He is bringing his Mathematics Tour back to India with performances planned in six cities, the organisers announced on Friday. The announcement comes after a sold-out show in Mumbai in March this year, where Sheeran promised fans he would return soon to the country. Delivering on the promise, the musician is set to embark on his most expansive tour of the country to date, beginning in Pune on January 30, followed by Hyderabad on February 2, Chennai on February 5 and Bengaluru on February 8. Sheeran will then perform in Shillong on February 12 before concluding in Delhi NCR on February 15. While the 33-year-old global star performed in Mumbai earlier this year, the city is not included in his 2025 tour. Taking to Instagram, Sheeran wrote, "Coming back to India for my biggest ever tour of your beautiful country," adding that he will also perform in Bhutan for the first time and Qatar for the first time in a decade.            View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by Ed Sheeran (@teddysphotos) The Mathematics Tour 2025 in India is promoted by AEG Presents Asia and BookMyShow Live. Each performance promises an intimate experience with the British artist in his purest form armed with only his guitar and Loopstation. "The 2025 India tour promises to deliver an intimate and electrifying concert experience, focusing on close-up performances that showcase Sheeran's raw talent and deep connection with his fans. A more traditional stage design will complement Sheeran's captivating storytelling front and centre, highlighting his soulful vocals, acoustic brilliance and heartfelt lyrics," said the organisers. Tickets for the tour will be on sale on December 11, 2024 and be available on BookMyShow and Sheeran's official website. The tour will draw from all of his albums since 2011, starting with "Plus", "Multiply" (2014), "Divide" (2017), "Equals" (2021) and "Subtract" (2023). The tour also includes a song from 2019's "No. 6 Collaborations Project". Sheeran had first performed in Mumbai in 2015 and had returned to the city with another performance in 2017. Ed Sheeran India Tour 2025 dates and venues January 30 - Yash Lawns, Pune February 2 - Ramoji Film City, Hyderabad February 5 - YMCA Ground, Chennai February 8 - Nice Grounds, Bengaluru February 12 - JN Stadium, Shillong February 15 - Leisure Valley Ground, Delhi-NCR (With inputs from PTI)

29 November,2024 06:58 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
A view of the Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral (File Pic/AFP)

French president Emmanuel Macron offers first glimpse of post-fire Notre Dame

France is to offer the world a first look inside the restored Notre Dame cathedral in Paris on Friday, over five years after the fire that ravaged the interior of the heritage landmark and toppled its spire. Eight days ahead of the December 7 reopening of the cathedral, President Emmanuel Macron conducted an inspection, broadcast live on television, which provided the first official insight into how the 850-year-old edifice now looks inside.  "Even more beautiful than before, in the renewed radiance of the blonde stones and the colour of the chapels," Macron said in a statement released to media on the eve of the visit. The "building site of the century" was a "challenge that many considered insane", the president added. Notre Dame will welcome back visitors and worshippers over the December 7-8 weekend after a sometimes challenging restoration to return to its former glory the great Paris cathedral badly damaged by the April 19, 2019, fire. Macron at the time set the ambitious goal to rebuild Notre Dame within five years and make it "even more beautiful" than before, a target that the French authorities say has been met. The French president is hoping the opening of Notre Dame will be a major feather in his cap amid the current political deadlock following early parliamentary elections this summer. World leaders are expected to join but the guest list has yet to be unveiled. Some 250 companies and hundreds of experts were mobilised for a restoration costing hundreds of millions of euros in what was dubbed the "building site of the century". All 2,000 people who contributed to the work have been invited to Friday's event, of whom at least 1,300 are expected to attend. "This final site visit is an opportunity to thank them in particular -- from wood craftsmen to those of metal and stone, from scaffolders to roofers, from bell makers to art restorers, from gilders to masons and sculptors, from carpenters to organ builders, from architects, archaeologists, engineers and planners to logistical and administrative functions," Macron said ahead of the visit.   Accompanied by his wife Brigitte, Macron was expected from 10:30 am (0930 GMT) to inspect the key areas of the cathedral including the nave, choir and chapel and discuss the restoration in person with the workers. The restoration cost a total of nearly 700 million euros (more than $750 million at today's rate). It was financed from the 846 million euros in donations that poured in from 150 countries in an unprecedented surge of solidarity. Major reopening expected The 19th-century gothic spire has now been resurrected with an exact copy of the original, the stained windows have regained their colour, the walls shining after fire stains cleaned and a restored organ ready to thunder out again. Unseen to visitors is a new mechanism to protect against any future fires, a discreet system of pipes ready to release millions of water droplets in case of a new disaster. Notre Dame, which welcomed 12 million visitors in 2017, expects to receive an even higher figure of "14 to 15 million" after the reopening, according to the church authorities. French ministers have also floated the idea of charging tourists an entrance fee to the site but the Paris diocese has said free admission was an important principle to maintain. 

29 November,2024 03:56 PM IST | Paris | AFP
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