The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), the world’s largest museum for Egyptian antiquities, is finally undergoing the final touches following which it will be ready for a grand official opening.
Following a visit to GEM by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly last weekend, the Cabinet announced in a statement that, as of the end of this month, February 2024, everything in the museum would have been fully completed, ready for opening. No date has yet been set for the opening. Mr Madbouly was accompanied by Giza Governor Ahmed Rashed; Antiquities and Tourism Minister Ahmed Issa; Major General Atef Moftah, Supervisor General of the GEM mega-project; and senior officials.
The Grand Egyptian Museum was conceived in 2002 as a modern repository for Egypt’s ancient treasures. It is located on the Giza Pyramids plateau, stretching over 72,222 sq.m and overlooking the iconic pyramids. One of Egypt’s first green buildings, it was granted the Green Pyramid award in November 2022. It cost some one billion dollars to build, and has the capacity to display 100,000 artefacts.
Among the museum’s prominent displays are the Tutankhamen collection and Khufu’s solar boats. The colossal statue of Ramses II, known as Ramses the Great who ruled Egypt in 1279-1213 BC, was the first major artefact to enter the permanent collection area of GEM. The story of its transfer to the museum following some 60 years during which it had stood in Cairo’s central railway station square makes for a gripping read reported by Watani. The statue of Ramses II was moved to its final place of display in the lofty atrium at GEM in January 2018. The colossus was so positioned that it would align with the sun rays penetrating the atrium on 21 February of every year, the rays would the bathe the face of the colossus in sunlight. The phenomenon replicates the annual sun alignment with the face of Ramses II in the holy of holies of Abu Simbel temple in Aswan on 22 October and 22 February.
During the PM’s recent visit, Major General Moftah explained that all construction and engineering works in the museum have been completed, and that the display work will be finalised by end of February.
The main hall display, he said, has been finalised; two halls showcasing the treasures of King Tutankhamun, as well as the Grand Staircase had already opened in December 2023, he confirmed.
Work is ongoing, Mr Moftah said, to dismantle the metallic structure that had supported Khufu’s (Cheops) first solar boat when it had been moved to GEM in August 2021 from the original museum that had housed it at the foothill of the Great Pyramid.
GEM had partially opened on March 2023, offering a limited number of guided tours booked online. Special events were also hosted in its Atrium.
During his visit, PM Madbouly visited the museum’s gift shop which offers, among its large collection, expertly made replicas of its displays.
Watani International
5 February 2024
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