Pharaonic statues were showcased at the Grand Staircase of the Grand Egyptian Museum during a partial trial in Giza, Egypt, on Tuesday. — Reuters
Egypt unveiled a series of galleries to the public on Tuesday in its new flagship museum, but the renowned King Tutankhamun collection and solar boats buried near the Pyramid of Khufu are still awaiting their grand debut, as the long-delayed official inauguration remains pending. The expansive Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), situated near the Giza pyramids, has been under construction for over 20 years. Initially slated to open in 2012, the launch was repeatedly postponed due to budget overruns and political instability. Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly recently announced a 'trial opening' ahead of the formal inauguration. Egyptian officials have disclosed that several world leaders have shown interest in attending the official opening but have not specified a date.
The museum's main entrance hall, featuring a stairway adorned with Pharaonic statues, and a commercial annex opened to the public in February 2023. Ali Abu Al Shish, a member of the Egyptian Archaeologists Union who attended the opening of nearly a dozen galleries on Tuesday, stated that the trial operation of the vast museum demonstrated Egypt's capacity to exhibit its antiquities, including those being repatriated by Western states and museums. 'It sends an important message that we can reclaim our antiquities, which are dispersed across various countries worldwide,' he said. Kseniia Muse, a visiting Russian tourist, expressed her delight, saying, 'We are so happy to be here, to have seen these beautiful sculptures... It is very modern and yet you can feel the ancient.'
Tourism is a significant source of foreign currency for Egypt. The government has been striving to boost tourist numbers following a prolonged foreign currency shortage exacerbated by external shocks. Until now, Egypt's most celebrated collections have been housed in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo's Tahrir Square, which has remained largely unmodernized since its opening in 1902.
