Program 775: Reopening Notre-Dame; Rue des Martyrs; Other Religions

Ken Follett, author of a monumental series of novels based in medieval Europe, celebrates the much anticipated — and hotly debated — reopening of Paris' Notre-Dame Cathedral five years after its devastating fire. Also, the New York Times' former Paris correspondent Elaine Sciolino tells us what makes her own Paris neighborhood feel like home. And a peace activist from Jerusalem shares a suggestion to help people of different religions get along better.

• Historian and author Ken Follett
• New York Times correspondent Elaine Sciolino, author of "The Only Street in Paris" (W. W. Norton)
• Peace activist Aziz Abu Sarah, co-founder of Mejdi Tours

• Ken Follett, author of "The Pillars of the Earth," wrote "Notre-Dame: A Brief History of the Meaning of Cathedrals" a few months after Notre-Dame caught fire. He dedicated proceeds from the book to La Fondation du Patrimoine, a charity focused on rebuilding and protecting ancient buildings in France. It's using his gift to help restore a gothic church in Brittany, near Saint-Malo.
• The City of Paris Tourist Office and the Secrets of Paris websites have updated information about the reopening plans for Notre-Dame.
• Elaine Sciolino writes about her neighborhood in the 9th arrondissement in "The Only Street in Paris."
• Elaine has also written about "The Seine: The River that Made Paris" and has a new title about the Louvre museum scheduled for release in April 2025.
• Elaine spoke with Rick about the Seine and the bridges of Paris on Travel with Rick Steves program #593 in February 2020, and program #607a in March 2023. She describes the flirtatious nature of social interactions in France in her book “Le Seduction,” and on program #254a in 2013.
• Aziz Abu Sarah is the author of "Crossing Boundaries: A Traveler's Guide to World Peace."
• Aziz is co-owner of Mejdi Tours, to explore "dual narratives" in the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and the Americas. He also started nonprofit Interact International to promote connections in divided societies around the world.

Pgm 775 "Taste of Paris" Haiku

Soaring stone arches
Windows of gleaming colors
Soon to rise again

— Bruce Huang, Rockville, Maryland

Awakening the senses.
Dark, bold with foam on the rim,
a Paris cafe

— Chris Baumgartner, Ellicott City, Maryland

This beef bourguignon,
Delicious je ne sais quoi,
Paris, in a bowl

— Tom Banks, Cullowhee, North Carolina