Latest news with #GrandEgyptianMuseum
Al-Ahram Weekly
7 hours ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Rehla platform to launch soon, offering free school trips to museums, heritage sites - Museums
In a significant step toward promoting cultural and archaeological awareness among young generations, Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities is preparing to launch a new digital platform titled Rehla, dedicated to organizing free school excursions for public school students nationwide. The initiative falls under the Ministry's broader strategy to foster educational engagement with Egypt's rich heritage, while leveraging digital transformation to improve accessibility and the overall visitor experience. Through Rehla, public primary and preparatory schools will be able to schedule free visits to 112 archaeological sites and museums, which are available for booking via the Ministry's digital platform. These include some of Egypt's most iconic landmarks, such as the Giza Pyramids Complex, the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir, the Citadel of Salah El-Din, Karnak and Abu Simbel Temples, the Grand Egyptian Museum, and the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization. Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy reaffirmed the Ministry's commitment to adopting advanced technologies in support of its strategic goals, with a particular focus on improving the visitor experience and expanding access to cultural heritage. He stressed the importance of completing the Rehla platform before the start of the upcoming academic year, including all technical development, content validation, and final testing. 'Once operational, the platform is expected to streamline the process of booking school trips, minimize overcrowding at heritage sites, ensure the safety of participating students, and foster greater awareness and appreciation of Egypt's diverse tourism and archaeological legacy,' Fathy said. Mohamed Shaaban, the Minister's Associate for Digital Transformation, explained that the platform—developed in coordination with the Ministry of Education and Technical Education—integrates both ministries' databases to enable secure, electronic verification for school trip coordinators. Once launched, Rehla will offer a user-friendly system for planning visits according to designated time slots and site-specific visitor capacities, ensuring a well-managed, crowd-free, and safe educational experience. Free admission is granted to participating students, as per decisions issued by the boards of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, the Grand Egyptian Museum, and the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, as part of a broader effort to promote early cultural engagement. The Rehla platform is being executed in collaboration with E-Aswaq Misr, the company behind the Ministry's e-ticketing system and a subsidiary of E-Finance for Financial and Digital Investments. The launch of Rehla is part of a broader digital transformation effort by the Ministry, which has recently rolled out an integrated e-ticketing system for archaeological sites and museums. This system supports payments via bank cards and multiple digital channels, including the official website the Experience Egypt mobile app, self-service kiosks, and dedicated sales points for tour operators. By offering free, well-organized school trips to Egypt's cultural and historical landmarks, the Rehla platform aims to become a cornerstone in the government's mission to nurture a generation more deeply connected to its national identity and heritage—through the power of education and digital innovation. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
See - Sada Elbalad
15 hours ago
- General
- See - Sada Elbalad
Safaa Nawar Writes from Berlin: The Grand Egyptian Museum… in the Heart of Germany
Safaa Nawar At a time when cultural values are retreating in the face of life's challenges, economic strains, and political turmoil, the Grand Egyptian Museum stands as one of the last fortresses guarding the memory of humanity. Through the eyes and voices of young people determined to become a bridge between a glorious past and a promising future. Students from German and Egyptian universities didn't come to promote a static idea — they came to ask: How can we redefine the museum in the world's consciousness? How can we forge a new relationship between people and their history? The museum is no longer just a showcase of antiquities, but a living institution that reshapes our perception of civilization. The Grand Egyptian Museum has transformed from a grand architectural monument into a human space that invites contemplation and inquiry. What these young people presented through the Connects 2025 workshops was not a technical display of artifacts, but a sincere attempt to understand what these relics mean in the context of identity, belonging, and shared human history. Connects 2025 was far from a traditional celebration — it was an open lab for the ideas of 600 students from Egyptian and German universities. Their academic fields — from design to music to artificial intelligence — merged into one shared project: to reintroduce the museum to the world in a way that reflects the spirit of a new generation. The idea of presenting a miniature version of the Grand Egyptian Museum in the heart of Berlin came as a bold intellectual and cultural initiative led by the German University in Cairo. It reflects a deep institutional vision of the role universities can play in both preserving cultural identity and engaging with the world. Professor Dr. Ashraf Mansour, Chairman of the University's Board of Trustees, played a key role in turning this vision into a living reality, through close coordination with the Grand Egyptian Museum's management, and by involving students from both countries in curating and presenting the exhibition content. The event was officially opened by Emine Demirbüken-Wegner, Mayor of Reinickendorf, Berlin, who praised the pioneering role of the German University in promoting intercultural dialogue. She said that hosting such an event confirms Berlin's status as a global center for culture and civilizational exchange. Dr. Ashraf Mansour emphasized that this initiative is more than just a cultural event — it is a platform for civilizational exchange and openness between Egyptian and European youth. Dr. Ahmed Ghoneim, Executive Director of the Grand Egyptian Museum, stressed the importance of presenting Egyptian heritage in a contemporary language that resonates with today's world. As the Egyptian soprano's voice soared in the Hymn of Isis, guests began to arrive, forming long queues despite the rainy weather — a testament to the remarkable turnout from both German and international visitors. People of all ages came to experience the unique student-led presentation, engaging with interactive displays and workshops that gave the event a rich human and cultural dimension. For decades, the story of Egyptian civilization was told from outside Egypt. Today, it is being retold through the voices of young Egyptians and Germans, working hand in hand to present a new vision of the museum as a dynamic knowledge hub. This is a global cultural project, not just for its scale — but for its profound human message. What this experience truly reveals is that those who hold the keys to the future are also capable of unlocking the past. University students, standing before statues of Ramses II or the mask of Tutankhamun, did not come merely to observe — they came to ask a deeper question: What does it mean to be human in a civilization that stretches back thousands of years? The Grand Egyptian Museum is not only told through walls and inscriptions — but through the souls of these young people who revived its story, restored its spirit, and gave new global resonance to its civilization. I felt a deep pride listening to guests speak of Egypt — the land that witnessed the world's first peace treaty, pioneered medicine, cosmetics, even the sandwich, and was the first to develop prosthetic limbs. I left the exhibition repeating to myself: 'My country, how great you are." read more Analysis- Turkey Has 0 Regional Allies... Why? Analysis: Russia, Turkey... Libya in Return For Syria? Analysis: Who Will Gain Trump's Peace Plan Fruits? Analysis: Will Turkey's Erdogan Resort to Snap Election? 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Malaysian Reserve
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Malaysian Reserve
Egyptian conservators give King Tut's treasures new glow
by MENNA FAROUK AS A teenager, Eid Mertah would pore over books about King Tutankhamun, tracing hieroglyphs and dreaming of holding the boy pharaoh's golden mask in his hands. Years later, the Egyptian conservator found himself gently brushing centuries-old dust off one of Tut's gilded ceremonial shrines — a piece he had only seen in textbooks. 'I studied archaeology because of Tut,' Mertah, 36, told AFP. 'It was my dream to work on his treasures — and that dream came true.' Mertah is one of more than 150 conservators and 100 archaeologists who have laboured quietly for over a decade to restore thousands of artefacts ahead of the long-awaited opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) — a US$1 billion (RM4.25 billion) project on the edge of the Giza Plateau. Originally slated for July 3, the launch has once again been postponed — now expected in the final months of the year — due to regional security concerns. The museum's opening has faced delays over the years for various reasons, ranging from political upheaval to the Covid-19 pandemic. But when it finally opens, the GEM will be the world's largest archaeological museum devoted to a single civilisation. It will house more than 100,000 artefacts, with over half on public display, and will include a unique feature: A live conservation lab. From behind glass walls, visitors will be able to watch in real time as experts work over the next three years to restore a 4,500-year-old boat buried near the tomb of Pharaoh Khufu and intended to ferry his soul across the sky with the sun god Ra. But the star of the museum remains King Tut's collection of more than 5,000 objects — many to be displayed together for the first time. Among them are his golden funeral mask, gilded coffins, golden amulets, beaded collars, ceremonial chariots and two mummified foetuses believed to be his stillborn daughters. 'Puzzle of Gold' Many of these treasures have not undergone restoration since British archaeologist Howard Carter discovered them in 1922. The conservation methods used by Carter's team were intended to protect the objects, but over a century later, they have posed challenges for their modern-day successors. Coating gold surfaces in wax, for instance, 'preserved the objects at the time', said conservator Hind Bayoumi, 'but it then hid the very details we want the world to see'. For months, Bayoumi, 39, and her colleagues painstakingly removed the wax applied by British chemist Alfred Lucas, which had over decades trapped dirt and dulled the shine of the gold. Restoration has been a joint effort between Egypt and Japan, which contributed US$800 million in loans and provided technical support. Egyptian conservators — many trained by Japanese experts — have led cutting-edge work across 19 laboratories covering wood, metal, papyrus, textiles and more. Tut's gilded coffin — brought from his tomb in Luxor — proved one of the most intricate jobs. At the GEM's wood lab, conservator Fatma Magdy, 34, used magnifying lenses and archival photos to reassemble its delicate gold sheets. 'It was like solving a giant puzzle,' she said. 'The shape of the break, the flow of the hieroglyphs — every detail mattered.' Touching History Before restoration, the Tutankhamun collection was retrieved from several museums and storage sites, including the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square, the Luxor Museum and the tomb itself. Some items were given light restoration before their relocation to ensure they could be safely moved. Teams first conducted photographic documentation, X-ray analysis and material testing to understand each item's condition before touching it. 'We had to understand the condition of each piece — the gold layers, the adhesives, wood structure — everything,' said Mertah, who worked on King Tut's ceremonial shrines at the Egyptian Museum. Fragile pieces were stabilised with Japanese tissue paper — thin but strong — and adhesives like Paraloid B-72 and Klucel G, both reversible and minimally invasive. The team's guiding philosophy throughout has been one of restraint. 'The goal is always to do the least amount necessary — and to respect the object's history,' said Mohamed Moustafa, 36, another senior restorer. Beyond the restoration work, the process has been an emotional journey for many of those involved. 'I think we're more excited to see the museum than tourists are,' Moustafa said. 'When visitors walk through the museum, they'll see the beauty of these artefacts. But for us, every piece is a reminder of the endless working hours, the debates, the training,' he added. 'Every piece tells a story.' — AFP This article first appeared in The Malaysian Reserve weekly print edition
Egypt Independent
4 days ago
- Egypt Independent
Pyramids among the 7 most important archaeological sites to visit: National Geographic Traveler
The widely read National Geographic Traveler magazine published a report highlighting seven of the most important archaeological sites to visit, with Egypt's Giza Pyramids topping the list. The report explained that the archaeological sites of ancient civilizations are some of the most inspiring tourist destinations – not only because of the temples, tombs, cities, and fortresses they contain which bear witness to the ingenuity of ancient humanity – but also because they reflect aspects of humanity that remain relevant to this day. According to the report, the Giza Pyramids area embodies this unique balance between past and present. The Great Pyramid of Khufu, the only surviving wonder of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, has stood tall amidst the golden desert since the 26th century BC. Alongside it are the pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure, and the legendary Great Sphinx. On the other side is the modern urban area of Giza – a blending of the ancient past with the modern world. The report explained that a visit to Giza Pyramids area with a tour guide takes on an even richer experience, providing an engaging and dramatic account of the history of Egypt's ruling dynasties, spanning over four thousand years. The report also recommended that visitors purchase a ticket that includes entry to the Great Pyramid, followed by a visit to the nearby Grand Egyptian Museum, one of Egypt's most prominent modern cultural monuments.
CairoScene
4 days ago
- General
- CairoScene
Grand Egyptian Museum Launches Free Jewellery-Making Course for Adults
A free summer course at the Grand Egyptian Museum is offering adults the chance to learn ancient Egyptian jewellery-making techniques, blending craftsmanship with cultural education. Jul 19, 2025 The Grand Egyptian Museum has launched a summer programme aimed at introducing adults to the art of ancient Egyptian jewellery-making. Offered free of charge, the initiative is part of a wider effort to make cultural heritage more accessible through interactive, skill-based learning. Titled 'Jewelry Making in Ancient Egypt', the course guides participants through the basics of traditional metalwork, design, and the symbolic use of gemstones. Working primarily with copper sheets—a material used historically in ancient adornment—participants will explore essential techniques such as metal forming, design assembly, and the incorporation of aesthetic and cultural motifs. The workshops are open to adults aged 18 and over and take place every Monday at 10:00 AM at the museum's Education Department. While participation is free, attendees are responsible for coordinating with instructors to obtain any necessary materials for their personal practice. The programme reflects the museum's growing emphasis on hands-on engagement and its commitment to preserving and sharing Egypt's artistic legacy.
