Copenhagen Mayor Discusses Notre Dame Reconstruction with Paris Counterpart After Stock Exchange Fire

Copenhagen Mayor Sophie Hæstorp Andersen has been in contact with Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo to discuss the reconstruction of the Notre Dame cathedral after a devastating fire in 2019. The discussions come as Copenhagen grapples with the aftermath of a fire that severely damaged the city's historic 400-year-old stock exchange building on April 16, 2024.

Hæstorp Andersen said Hidalgo provided valuable insights on how to move quickly with the rebuilding process and handle donations. "Hidalgo provided good inputs on how to move quickly and handle donations for the reconstruction," Hæstorp Andersen stated. Hidalgo has also invited a Danish team to meet with those behind the rebuilding of Notre Dame's iconic spire.

The fire at the Copenhagen stock exchange building, known as Børsen, caused the collapse of its distinctive dragon-tail spire and much of the structure. Firefighters are currently working to stabilize the building and safely remove dangling scaffolding left from ongoing renovation work at the time of the blaze. Several streets around the building remain closed until at least Monday as a precaution.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, and no decision has been made yet on who will finance the reconstruction, which is expected to cost millions or even billions of Danish kroner. The Danish Chamber of Commerce, which owns the building, has expressed a desire to see it rebuilt.

Why this matters: The fire at the Copenhagen stock exchange building is a significant blow to the city's architectural heritage, drawing comparisons to the Notre Dame cathedral fire in Paris. The collaboration between the mayors of Copenhagen and Paris highlights the importance of international cooperation and knowledge-sharing in the face of such cultural disasters.

Hæstorp Andersen acknowledged the enormity of the task ahead in rebuilding the stock exchange, but expressed confidence that it can be done. "We stand before a huge task in rebuilding the stock exchange building, but we know it can be done quickly," she said. Firefighters managed to save many of the building's priceless contents, including irreplaceable paintings, during the fire. Work continues to fully secure and assess the damage to the landmark, which is considered a leading example of Dutch Renaissance architecture in Denmark.

Key Takeaways

• Copenhagen mayor in contact with Paris mayor on Notre Dame rebuilding
• Copenhagen's 400-year-old stock exchange building severely damaged by fire
• Rebuilding costs expected to be millions or billions of Danish kroner
• Collaboration between mayors highlights importance of international cooperation
• Many priceless contents saved, but landmark's future remains uncertain