During the magnificent Pharaohs Golden Parade which took place on 3 April 2021 [https://en.wataninet.com/culture/museums/egypts-pharaohs-golden-parade-proud-to-be-egyptian/35008/] and which saw the transfer of 22 mummies of ancient Egyptian kings and queens from their the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation (NMEC) in al-Fustat in Old Cairo, the spectacular lighting of the museum and the buildings surrounding the square caught everyone’s eyes.
The designer of the lighting is architect Maria Younan. Ms Younan, who graduated from Helwan University in 2011 with a degree in Architecture , then earned a diploma in urban design in 2012, has been working in the field of interior and exterior architectural lighting design for ten years. She designed the lighting for projects all over Egypt, including the Opera House in the new administrative capital, and the Suez Canal stadium.
Ms Younan was nominated by the company she currently works with, Siraj Lighting, to design the architectural lighting for the Egyptian Museum, Tahrir Square and the surrounding buildings. She completed the required designs in a record time of two weeks and presented them in a meeting attended by Egypt’s Prime Minister, Dr Mostafa Madbouly; Minister of Antiquities and Tourism Khaled al-Anany, and Minister of Housing, Assem al-Gazzar. Her work was highly admired and approved.
As a member of the congregation of the church of Mar-Marcos (St Mark) in Nozha al-Gedida in the east of Cairo, Ms Younan was honoured by her church. The priests, church servants, and workers sent her congratulatory message that described her as, “an honourable role model for young men and women.”
The company she works with posted on its Facebook page, “Thank you to our lighting designer Maria Younan for your extraordinary efforts on this project. Siraj Lighting is proud of you.”
An elated Ms Younan said she was always ready to do whatever it takes to serve Egypt during this important development transitional phase.
On her Facebook page, she proudly posted: “I’m seeing my dream shine; Proud and happy being a part of this!”