Over 100 ambassadors visit Grand Egyptian Museum site for first time

CAIRO – 25 November 2017: Members of the Egyptian Diplomatic Corporations and 150 ambassadors and cultural attaches among others have visited the archaeological restoration center and the Grand Egyptian Museum for the first time on Saturday.

The first field visit was organized by the Cultural Committee of the Board of Directors of the Egyptian Diplomatic Club who emphasized in a released statement by Egyptian Diplomatic Corporations, that preserving and developing Egyptian heritage and civilization is the only method to defeat terrorism.

Visitors have inaugurated the tour with a minute of silence mourning the death of over 300 victims in Al Rawda Mosque terrorist attack in Arish that took place on Friday. Chairman of the Cultural Committee of the Board of Directors of the Egyptian Diplomatic Club Amr Aljowaily have explained to visitors how Egyptian authorities are currently working to preserve monuments, launching major culture projects, and developing Egyptian civilization as mean to counter terrorism.

Aljowaily emphasized the importance of foreign embassies participation in the visit reflects the strong alliance and cultural ties between their countries and Egypt. Visitors were also able to witness the most important collections and establishments in the Grand Egyptian Museum during the tour.

The first phase of the museum is expected to be open at the end of 2018, displaying the treasures of King Tutankhamun for the first time in history since its excavation in 1922, according to the General Supervisor of the Museum Tariq Tawfik.

The excavated treasures amount over 5,000 artifacts which are currently being transferred to laboratories located in the museum’s restoration center in which they will be featured later in a separate building on complex.

The Grand Egyptian Museum is expected to be the largest museum worldwide displaying an array of collections depicting a certain era of Egyptian history. Some of the eras that will be featured include the Greco-Roman era in Egypt which will be shown through a gathered collection of 50,000 pieces.

This also comes in parallel to the Tourism Authority’s efforts in preparing an agenda of events varying between cultural, artistic, and sports throughout the year, emphasizing the importance of culture tourism and making use of the cultural heritage the country owns.