Latest news with #Pharaonic
See - Sada Elbalad
a day ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
Egypt Dazzles World on July 3 … Everyone Awaits GEM Opening
Ali abo deshish In a few weeks, the eyes of the entire world will turn to Egypt to witness the official opening ceremony of the Grand Egyptian Museum in 2025. This is the largest event in the history of Egypt and the world at large, and one that is eagerly awaited by everyone interested in Pharaonic culture and civilization in particular, from all over the world. Everyone is eager to see a new spectacle of ancient Egyptian civilization, which has remained a symbol of ancient Egyptian genius and excellence in various fields. This opening heralds a new era for Egyptian tourism in 2025, attracting millions of international visitors from around the world and affirming Egypt's position as an indispensable tourist destination. It will also be a pivotal attraction, not only on the cultural tourism map in Egypt, but also globally. The museum will be a must-see for any tourist visiting Egypt and will increase the length of their stay. It is one of the most prominent archaeological and cultural projects in the modern world. This Grand Egyptian Museum demonstrates the state's commitment to highlighting ancient Egyptian civilization and celebrating its ancient monuments, thus establishing it as a leading tourist destination. With the official opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum, the "Happening Now" news website reviews everything you need to know about the world's largest archaeological museum dedicated to a single civilization: GEM Opening Date Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly announced that the official opening date for the Grand Egyptian Museum is July 3, 2025, in implementation of President Sisi's directives. He emphasized that Egypt is preparing to organize a global celebration befitting this historic event. Attracting Tourists to Egypt Madbouly held a meeting to follow up on the latest preparations for the opening ceremony of the Grand Egyptian Museum. The Prime Minister reiterated the importance of cooperation and coordination between various stakeholders to ensure a grand opening ceremony for the Egyptian Museum, one befitting the scale of this important global event and reflecting the rich history and civilization of Egypt. He emphasized the special importance of the Grand Egyptian Museum's opening ceremony, given its integration with the state's efforts to attract more tourists to Egypt and its various tourist destinations. He noted the interest the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum has garnered from observers from around the world, as this museum houses the treasures of Egyptian civilization and tells the story of its ancient history, making it a magnet on the Egyptian and global tourism map. Location of the Museum The Grand Egyptian Museum is located on an area of 117feddans, a few miles west of Cairo (15 km), on the plateau between the pyramids. It is only 2 km from the Pyramids of Giza and modern Cairo, making it a gateway to Egypt's past, present, and future. The unique location allows visitors to view the three Giza pyramids through the dazzling glass facade of the Grand Egyptian Museum's entrance lobby. The museum's facade rises five stories to match the height of the pyramid. Visitors can take photos with the pyramids while enjoying the collections of King Tutankhamun. Preparations for the global event The state is committed to ensuring the success of this global event through extensive preparations, including comprehensive development of the Pyramids and Museum area, improving the roads and infrastructure leading to the museum, upgrading the lighting system and visual identity, equipping Sphinx International Airport to receive official delegations and tourists, and implementing networks connecting the museum areas to each other via a cable car, spanning 10 stations. The museum will also be connected by metro, and is expected to attract 5 million visitors annually. The GEM is one of the largest museum projects in the world and boasts many unique features. It houses more than 100,000 artifacts from various Pharaonic eras, some of which are being seen for the first time. It will feature the first complete display of King Tutankhamun's collection. It boasts world-class architectural design with a direct view of the Giza Pyramids. It also includes educational and cultural facilities, a state-of-the-art archaeological research center, open spaces, interactive exhibition halls, and recreational areas for visitors. The Importance of the Museum The museum was designed to support the preservation and restoration of cultural and historical heritage, and to promote museum-related activities, such as the display of artifacts and educational activities. This contributes to the development of the tourism industry. The museum derives its importance from the significance and history of the Pyramids area in which it is located. The location provides tourism companies with the opportunity to diversify their tourism programs and combine various tourism styles. It is expected that the construction of new hotels near the museum and the pyramids will increase, and the market for luxury real estate with archaeological and historical views will grow. These properties are suitable for tourist accommodation or for ownership and rental in the area. Objectives of the Grand Egyptian Museum Raising awareness among young people and Egyptian society about Egyptian civilization. Displaying archaeological collections and utilizing the latest museum display methods and technologies. Digital documentation and recording of artifacts, as well as their preservation, security, study, maintenance, and restoration. Organizing temporary and permanent antiquities exhibitions within Egypt. Holding seminars, conferences, cultural and scientific activities, and other activities. Reviving Egyptian traditional crafts and arts through the manufacture, marketing, and sale of replicas of antiquities. Restored artifacts transferred to the museum: The number of artifacts transferred: 51,472. The number of artifacts restored: 50,466. The number of artifacts restored from the second Khufu ship: 1,240 out of 1,272 recovered from the discovery site, and 1,006 artifacts were transferred to the Grand Egyptian Museum. The artifacts transferred from the King Tutankhamun collection: 5,340. The artifacts placed on the Grand Staircase: 42 out of 72 artifacts in the final design of the Grand Staircase. External spaces surrounding the museum: The Solar Boat Museum, with an area of 4,000 square meters. The Pyramids Restaurant, with an area of 6,000 square meters, offering a distinctive view of the pyramids. The Temple Garden Restaurant, with an area of 3,000 square meters, serves museum visitors. A multi-use building with an area of 17,000 sqm. The 58,000-square-meter recreational park extends across the entire area in front of the conference center in the northern area. The 19,000-square-meter exhibit garden, containing a number of large artifacts, is located south of Obelisk Square. The 15,000-square-meter temple garden, south of the museum building, features aromatic plants known from ancient Egyptian civilization. Up to 17,000-square-meter Land of Egypt garden, west of the museum building, features a simulation of the agricultural environment of ancient Egypt. About 8,000-square-meter children's garden. More than 80,000-square-meter sand dune area, southwest of the museum building. The Pyramids Amphitheater, connecting the temple garden below with the sand dune area above, with views of the pyramids to the south. A 30,000-square-meter visitor parking lot. The museum specializes in the following: Displaying archaeological collections using the latest museum display methods and technologies. Digital documentation and recording of artifacts, as well as their preservation, security, study, maintenance, and restoration. Organizing temporary and permanent antiquities exhibitions within Egypt. Holding seminars, conferences, cultural and scientific activities, and other activities. Raising awareness among young people and Egyptian society about Egyptian civilization. Reviving Egyptian traditional crafts and arts through the manufacture, marketing, and sale of replicas of antiquities. The First Green Museum The Grand Egyptian Museum has adopted a clear strategy for sustainable development by integrating green building dimensions into all phases of the project. This is achieved through: Developing services provided to visitors, including providing waiting areas, ensuring full accessibility for people with disabilities, creating dedicated bicycle lanes and parking spaces, and using electric vehicles. Furthermore, increasing the efficiency of water and energy consumption within the museum by reusing and reducing water consumption, particularly for agricultural purposes. Ensuring the use of natural ventilation and natural lighting, which are available in the museum lobby where King Ramses II receives his visitors. The system for measuring and detecting leaks, reducing various temperatures, and utilizing renewable energy sources by installing solar cells above waiting areas, in cooperation with the Small Solar Cell Systems Project implemented by the Industrial Modernization Center, the United Nations Development Program, and the Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy, has qualified the museum to receive several certificates and awards in this regard, including: The "Best Green Building Project" award, presented during the Environment and Development Forum: The Road to the 27th Sharm El-Sheikh Climate Change Conference, organized by the Arab Water Council in Cairo from September 11 to 13, 2022, under the auspices of the League of Arab States and with the participation of twelve Arab and foreign countries. This makes it the first museum in Egypt to be certified as an environmentally friendly green building—the first green museum. The museum won the award for Best Model for Building Facilities through the BIM Model Award smart application. The museum received the Gold Certificate for Green Building and Sustainability, according to the Egyptian Green Pyramid System, in October 2022 from the National Housing Research Center, for its contribution to preparing a guide for evaluating museums as sustainable green projects and for its work to raise awareness of all aspects of the project. Regarding sustainable green buildings, promoting them and highlighting their benefits to economic, environmental, and societal resources to achieve Egypt's Vision 2030. 4 ISO Certifications The Grand Egyptian Museum has obtained three international certifications as of September 2020: The International Certification in Occupational Health and Safety (ISO 45001:2018) The International Certification in Environmental Management (ISO 14001) The International Certification in Quality Systems (ISO 9001) In March 2021, the museum obtained its fourth ISO certification: The ISO/PAS 45005:2020 certification, which specializes in managing risks arising from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), to protect health, safety, and well-being related to work, due to its commitment to quality standards since the onset of the crisis and its publication of a booklet entitled "We Have Never Stopped... in the Face of COVID-19." The Gold Certification for Green Building and Sustainability, according to the Egyptian Green Pyramid System, was obtained by the museum in October. 2022 From the National Housing Research Center, for its contribution to preparing a guide to evaluate the museum as a sustainable green project, and for its work to raise awareness of everything related to sustainable green buildings, promote them, and highlight their benefits to economic, environmental, and societal resources, in order to achieve Egypt's Vision 2030. The Most Important Cultural Project of the 21st Century On his part, Dr. Zahi Hawass, the renowned Egyptologist, emphasized that the entire world is eagerly awaiting the official opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum on July 3. He described it as "the most important cultural project of the 21st century," describing it as a global phenomenon without parallel anywhere else in the world. Its opening is a message to the world about Egypt's preservation of its heritage. Hawass said that the Grand Egyptian Museum "has done its own advertising," emphasizing that "the world is awaiting July 3 to witness the museum's opening." The Egyptologist noted that everyone in the world knows the opening date of the Grand Egyptian Museum, reflecting the cultural and civilizational significance of this massive edifice. He emphasized that the opening ceremony of the Grand Egyptian Museum will be the most dazzling among modern tourist and archaeological events. He noted that the museum includes 11 halls that narrate ancient Egyptian history throughout its various stages, and that the tomb of Tutankhamun in the Grand Egyptian Museum will be open for public viewing with all its contents. read more New Tourism Route To Launch in Old Cairo Ahmed El Sakka-Led Play 'Sayidati Al Jamila' to Be Staged in KSA on Dec. 6 Mandy Moore Joins Season 2 of "Dr. Death" Anthology Series Don't Miss These Movies at 44th Cairo Int'l Film Festival Today Amr Diab to Headline KSA's MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2022 Festival Arts & Culture Mai Omar Stuns in Latest Instagram Photos Arts & Culture "The Flash" to End with Season 9 Arts & Culture Ministry of Culture Organizes four day Children's Film Festival Arts & Culture Canadian PM wishes Muslims Eid-al-Adha News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan
Egypt Independent
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Egypt Independent
Photos: New Sound and Light shows launch at the Giza Pyramids on Sunday
The Egyptian Company for Sound and Light and Tourism Development, affiliated with the Holding Company for Tourism and Hotels, a subsidiary of the Ministry of the Public Business Sector, will begin a trial run of virtual reality (VR) shows at Giza Pyramids area, starting on Sunday. This comes as part of the Ministry of the Public Business Sector's efforts to enhance tourism experience using modern technology, providing innovative cultural and educational content. This experience is the first of its kind in the Pyramids area, with the shows presented within a building belonging to the Sound and Light Company. The latest 3D virtual reality technologies have been employed to provide content that accurately simulates the ancient Egyptian environment, reflecting the grandeur of the Pharaonic civilization and making visiting it a truly immersive experience. Visitors can virtually tour historical archaeological sites through an interactive experience that simulates the past using advanced virtual reality glasses, taking them back in time through ancient history. Highlights Highlights of the shows include exploring the tomb of Tutankhamun with all its treasures and artifacts, simulating the process of building the pyramids, delving into the secrets of the sunken monuments of ancient Alexandria, and learning about the rituals and secrets of mummification. This project is part of the ministry's plan to modernize and develop tourism services and enrich the visitor experience with interactive content that combines entertainment and knowledge, particularly for young people, Egyptians, and foreign visitors. This will contribute to strengthening Egypt's image as a developed and revitalized tourist destination. The project is scheduled to later include other archaeological sites, including the temples of Karnak, Edfu, Abu Simbel, and the Qaitbay Citadel, becoming a key component of the company's plan for digital transformation in the cultural tourism sector.
Web Release
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Web Release
The War Series, Ahmad Kasha , Solo Exhibition , Presented by Fann A Porter in collaboration with Ayyam Gallery
With an experimental, uncanny use of color, Kasha's paintings possess a tableau-like quality—reminiscent of theatrical scenes—where scale is exaggerated and figures loom large. Depicting five panels of distorted pink flamingos and flesh forms arriving on a shore, Season of Migration to the North (2019–2025) stands out as a significant works in the series—not only for its imposing scale, but for its thickly layered oil and acrylic application, frantic brushwork, and dizzying detail. The result is a scene that feels both frozen and frenzied, a moment suspended between stillness and mania. Painted over four years, the piece functions like a timestamp, capturing the artist's shifting emotions. The War Series is inspired by key moments in the history of war imagery, spanning from ancient to modern times. Kasha references prehistoric cave drawings, Pharaonic depictions of the Battle of Kadesh, Assyrian reliefs like The Dying Lioness, the Palmyrene sculpture Lion of Al-L?t, and Trajan's Roman columns. He draws from Renaissance works such as Uccello's dramatic battle scenes, and modern interventions, Goya's Disasters of War, Picasso's Guernica, and the brutal, unflinching works of Otto Dix, Chaim Soutine, and Georg Baselitz. Kasha is also deeply influenced by his mentor, Leila Nseir, whose emotionally resonant and expressive techniques have profoundly shaped his introspective practice. Symbolism plays a vital role in Kasha's compositions. Recurring motifs such as plants, birds, and embryos serve as metaphors for life and renewal. Amid the chaos, these figures affirm existence and the resilience of the human spirit. His works confront the dualities of existence- war and peace, beauty and brutality, hope and despair. This tension invites reflection, where Kasha's art acts as both protest and witness, destruction and renewal.
Daily News Egypt
6 days ago
- Politics
- Daily News Egypt
Is Egypt Truly Arab?
Is Egypt truly Arab? At first glance, the question seems simple. Yet at its core, it is complex and profound, reflecting a long legacy of cultural, political, and social intersections. Identity is not a national ID card or a slogan raised above institutions; it is an accumulated outcome of successive cultural and societal layers. Just as a person cannot be reduced to their name, Egypt cannot be reduced to a mere geographical or linguistic label. Throughout its history, Egypt has undergone multiple identity transformations. What makes it unique, however, is that it has never been fully absorbed into any foreign identity. Take Pharaonic civilization, for example. Despite its grandeur, it revolved around the concept of the 'return of the soul,' where science and technology served a deeply spiritual doctrine. Then came the Greek civilization. The Greeks introduced the notion of 'reasoning' into Egyptian thought, enhancing its geometry, logic, and philosophy. This marked a major shift from revering myth to revering intellect. Under successive occupations, Roman, Arab, Ottoman, and British, Egypt was, more often than not, a province within a larger empire. During these times, identity was rarely a pressing issue, as Egyptians were part of a broader imperial whole, blurring the sense of national identity. The contours of Egyptian identity began to crystallize with the birth of the modern state under Muhammad Ali. For the first time, Egypt shifted from a subordinate province to a relatively autonomous entity. Egyptians were called upon to participate in building a nation, through education, labor, and agriculture, and this gave rise to a sense of national identity. The Egyptian Revolution of 1919 marked a turning point. For the first time, a clear national discourse emerged, built around the idea of 'pure Egyptian-ness.' This deeply rooted the concept of the 'Egyptian nation' in popular consciousness. Later, during the 1950s and 1960s, Arab nationalism flourished. But at its core, it was more of a political project than a cultural identity. It originated in the Levant, particularly among secular Christian thinkers, who sought to construct an alternative identity to counter Ottoman dominance and neutralize religion in politics. In Egypt, Arab nationalism was less a natural expression of identity and more a political tool used by President Gamal Abdel Nasser in his confrontations with the West. It was a strategic umbrella aimed at countering initiatives like the Baghdad Pact, a dream of Egyptian imperial leadership over Arabic-speaking countries. Arab nationalism was not rooted in Egyptian soil. Rather, it was a political mask the state wore for a time to serve geopolitical interests. If it had been a genuine cultural project, why did it stop at language? Why didn't it encompass the distinct social and economic characteristics that define each Arab country? The truth is that Egypt cannot be confined to a single identity. Defining Egypt solely as Arab is a gross oversimplification of its rich and multilayered essence. Egypt is not only an Arab country; it is also African, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, Islamic, Christian, Pharaonic, and modern. It is all of these things at once, yet none alone defines it completely. What best reflects the genius of the Egyptian character is its ability to absorb all incoming cultures and produce its own unique version of each. Just as Egypt introduced a moderate model of Islam, it also crafted a colloquial dialect that blends classical Arabic with local vernacular. Egypt is the only country in the world that overlooks Africa through Nubia, Asia through the Sinai Peninsula, Europe through Alexandria, and the Arab Desert through its oases. It is a rare intersection point of cultures, geography, and history. The great Egyptian thinker Gamal Hamdan once wrote: 'Egypt, in its net composition, is half European, one-third Asian, and one-sixth African.' This statement encapsulates the complex reality of Egypt's hybrid identity. I believe Egypt needs no qualifying descriptors that diminish its stature. It does not require labels that confine it to being 'Arab' or 'Islamic' or any such limited classification. Egypt is simply Egypt. Just as we do not refer to France as the 'European Secular Catholic French Republic,' or to the United States as the 'English Protestant Capitalist Western American Republic,' we need not call Egypt the 'Arab African Middle Eastern Mediterranean Islamic Christian Egyptian Republic.' Egypt is Egypt, no more, no less. It is a central pivot in the heart of the world, transcending narrow definitions and proving that its true identity lies in its ability to encompass diversity without losing itself. Dr Ramy Galal is an Egyptian senator, writer, and academic specializing in public management and cultural policies. He has authored studies on cultural diplomacy, the orange economy, and restructuring Egypt's cultural institutions. Galal holds a PHD degree from Alexandria University, a master's degree from the University of London, and Diploma From the University of Chile. A former adviser and spokesperson for Egypt's Ministry of Planning. He was also the spokesperson for the Egyptian Opposition Coalition.
Egypt Today
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Egypt Today
Sound and Light Launches Virtual Reality Shows at the Pyramids Starting May 25
As part of the Ministry of Public Enterprises' efforts to enhance the tourism experience through modern technology and deliver innovative cultural content, Egypt's Sound and Light Company for Tourism Development — affiliated with the Holding Company for Tourism and Hotels — will begin trial operations of its new virtual reality (VR) shows at the Giza Pyramids starting Sunday, May 25. This marks the first experience of its kind at the Pyramids, with the shows hosted inside a facility operated by the Sound and Light Company. The initiative utilizes the latest 3D virtual reality technologies to deliver an immersive experience that faithfully recreates the environment of ancient Egypt — reflecting the grandeur of the Pharaonic civilization and transforming the visit into an exceptional journey through time. Visitors will be able to explore historical archaeological sites virtually through interactive VR experiences using advanced headsets, offering them the chance to 'travel back in time' to ancient Egypt in a captivating and educational way. Highlights of the VR content include: exploring the tomb of Tutankhamun with all its treasures and artifacts, a simulation of the pyramid construction process with stunning architectural and engineering detail, diving into the secrets of submerged antiquities in ancient Alexandria, and discovering the rituals and mysteries of mummification by the ancient Egyptians. This project is part of the Ministry's broader strategy to modernize and upgrade tourism services, enriching the visitor experience with engaging, educational, and entertaining content — particularly for young people and both local and international tourists. It also aims to reinforce Egypt's image as a forward-thinking and dynamic tourist destination. The project is expected to expand to include other archaeological sites such as Karnak, Edfu, Abu Simbel, and the Citadel of Qaitbay, making it a key component of the company's digital transformation strategy within the cultural tourism sector.
