Fire at Notre Dame Cathedral: Victor Hugo's "Prophecy" from the 19th Century
(Baonghean.vn) - A huge fire engulfed Notre Dame Cathedral - the symbol of Paris, France on the evening of April 15 (local time), destroying most of the 800-year-old structure and leading to the complete collapse of the main tower.
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| A fire rages on top of the main tower of Notre Dame Cathedral. Photo: AP |
The fire was a major shock to all Parisians, destroying one of the most famous buildings in the French capital.
Notre Dame Cathedral is also known through the famous novel by French writer Vitor Hugo "The Hunchback of Notre Dame", which he wrote in 1831.
In his novel, writer Hugo described a church burning down, an incident similar to the fire that broke out in Paris at 6:40 p.m. (local time) on April 15.
He wrote: "All eyes were turned to the top of the church. There a strange sight was taking place. On the top of the highest tower, a great fire was raging between the two bell towers, with whirlwinds of fire swirling. A great, chaotic, fierce fire, the wind was blowing up clouds of smoke. Below the fire, water troughs were struggling to keep up...
Above the flames, the towers loomed in an unfamiliar black. The square was lit with thousands of torches like stars. The churchyard was ablaze, casting its light into the sky. The rays of light from the flames moved incessantly, reminding one of screams, of salamanders heaving in the fire, sneezing in the smoke.
No doubt this strange light terrified the woodcutter standing on the distant hill as he saw the giant shadow of the towers of Notre Dame Cathedral trembling with heat. Paris seemed to be shaken.
