A long show enlivened by dancers, singers, musicians, light games and fireworks marked the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM). The opening ceremony, presided over by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, was attended by some 40 sovereigns, heads of state and government, including Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli, who said, “It is a joy and an honor to represent the Italian government at the inauguration of the Grand Egyptian Museum. A treasure chest that exalts the magnificence of Egyptian civilization and its timeless charm. We are delighted that this extraordinary cultural heritage, the pride of Egypt, has a new, monumental home. Investing in culture is essential to promote peace, stability and development in the Mediterranean. Italy and Egypt boast millennia-old relations and exemplary cultural cooperation, which benefits both nations and is a model for Euro-Mediterranean dialogue.” Among the guests was Matteo Renzi.
With its 500,000 square meters of floor space, the GEM has won the title of the world’s largest museum, surpassing the Louvre (it is twice as large), despite being entirely dedicated to a single civilization,Ancient Egypt. It houses more than 100,000 artifacts, including the entire Tutankhamun treasure, finally reunited after having been long divided between Cairo and Luxor.
The opening, set in the space that separates the museum from the pyramids of Giza, just two kilometers apart, offered a spectacular glimpse thanks to platforms, light games and stage effects. The evening was attended by 79 official delegations, including 39 led by monarchs, princes and heads of state or government, in what was called one of the most impressive ceremonies ever held in the country.
In his inaugural speech, President al-Sisi called the new museum “an unprecedented chapter in Egypt’s history,” stressing its symbolic and cultural value. Because of its grandeur and prime location next to the three pyramids of Cheops, Chephren and Mycerinus, the GEM has already been dubbed the “Fourth Pyramid.” It is scheduled to open to the public on Nov. 4.
The building, with its 600-meter-long triangular glass facade, echoes the geometric lines of the surrounding pyramids and provides spectacular views of the Giza complex from every point. The entrance atrium is dominated by the 11-meter-tall, 3,200-year-old colossus of Ramses II. A six-story monumental staircase leads to the main galleries, offering a tour that combines history, art, and architecture. A pedestrian bridge connects the museum directly to the pyramids, while an environmentally friendly electric vehicle system enables travel within the site.
The heart of the complex is the Tutankhamun Gallery, set up for the first time in a complete and permanent manner, which allows visitors to admire together all the objects that belonged to the famous “child pharaoh.” Alongside it, the museum displays more than 57,000 artifacts from various regions of the country, many of them transferred from the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square or recently unearthed in necropolises such as Saqqara. Among the most outstanding pieces is the Khufu (Cheops) sun boat, 43 meters long and dated to about 4,600 years ago.
After more than two decades of work, the Grand Egyptian Museum finally opens its doors, combining archaeology, technology and state-of-the-art museum setting. Egyptian authorities estimate that in the first year of its opening alone, the museum will be able to welcome up to five million visitors, while the entire country expects to reach 18 million tourists by the end of the year. Italy has also made a major contribution to the creation of the Grand Egyptian Museum. The GEM also benefited from the scientific collaboration of the Egyptian Museum in Turin. Italian participation focused on aspects related to management, accessibility of the museum, consulting on the management and interpretation of the exhibits.
Below are pictures of the opening ceremony.
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| Egypt opens Grand Egyptian Museum: its "Fourth Pyramid" is the world's largest museum |
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