CAIRO - 7 May 2025: Egypt's Ambassador to Paris Ambassador Alaa Youssef and French Minister of Culture Rachida Dati participated in a celebration held to mark the publication of a book titled "The Luxor Obelisk and Its Restoration." The celebration was attended by a group of prominent French figures involved in cultural and heritage affairs and a number of prominent French archaeologists.
In her speech at the celebration, the French Minister of Culture expressed France's pride in the historical and cultural ties that unite it with Egypt, emphasizing that the Luxor Obelisk, which has graced the Place de la Concorde in Paris since 1836, is a living embodiment of the strength of these ties.
The French Minister stated that the book explores the history of the obelisk, beginning with its donation by Muhammad Ali Pasha in 1830, through the historical events it witnessed since its transfer to Paris, as well as its most recent restoration phases.
For his part, Ambassador Alaa Youssef pointed out that the Luxor Obelisk is a testament to the uniqueness of Egyptian-French relations, and that it continues to inspire Egyptologists in both countries. It has remained the focus of international attention since its placement in the Place de la Concorde, a point most recently evident during the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games last summer.
The Egyptian Ambassador to Paris expressed his confidence that the publication of this book will contribute to deepening cultural and scientific ties between the two countries and strengthening bridges of communication between generations and civilizations, especially in light of the continuous development of Egyptian-French relations in various fields, which were recently culminated in the signing of an agreement to upgrade relations to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership between President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and President Emmanuel Macron during his recent visit to Egypt last month.
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