Egypt celebrated the long-awaited full opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) with a lavish ceremony on Saturday. Attended by European and Arab royals, presidents, and dignitaries, the event highlighted one of Egypt’s most ambitious cultural projects which took over two decades to complete and cost $1 billion. Situated near the Pyramids of Giza, the museum is considered the world’s largest dedicated to a single civilization.
President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi stated, ‘We are writing a new chapter of the history of the present and future in the story of this ancient nation’ during the opening event that witnessed a dazzling light and music show outside the museum. The ceremony featured dancers in elaborate pharaonic costumes, a live international orchestra, spectacular fireworks, and drone displays depicting ancient gods in the sky above. Among the attendees were world leaders such as German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof, Spain’s King Felipe VI, and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
The museum, spanning nearly 24,000 square meters of permanent exhibition space, houses around 57,000 artifacts and features a children’s museum and the largest conservation center in the Middle East. The highlight of the grand opening was the unveiling of the complete collection of King Tutankhamun’s golden treasures, including over 5,000 artifacts previously scattered across various locations. This marked the first time since 1922 that all of the Boy King’s treasures, including his iconic golden funerary mask, were displayed together in their entirety.
The museum utilizes modern display techniques like augmented reality and immersive storytelling to present ancient Egypt in a vibrant and engaging manner. With plans to integrate AI soon, the museum aims to enhance global understanding of Egypt’s rich history and culture. Another significant exhibit is Pharaoh Khufu’s solar boats, with one 4,600-year-old vessel already on display and a second boat scheduled for restoration over the next three years in full view of visitors.
Visitors to the museum are greeted by the colossal 3,200-year-old statue of King Ramses II, along with a Grand Staircase lined with monumental artifacts leading to a view of the pyramids. The museum’s 12 main galleries trace Egypt’s history from prehistory to the Greco-Roman era, exploring themes of society, kingship, and belief. The full opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum marks a significant milestone in Egypt’s cultural heritage and its global promotion of history and soft power.
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