The Grand Egyptian Museum, located next to the Giza Pyramids, has initiated a pilot test by opening 12 halls dedicated to exhibitions about ancient Egypt, although it is not yet fully open to the public. Currently operating in test mode, the museum allows visitors to explore these twelve exhibition halls until the official opening date is announced. On October 16, the museum opened its doors to visitors as part of a trial run, with plans to welcome 4,000 visitors per day, both local and international.
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly announced the trial operation of the Grand Egyptian Museum, aimed at addressing observations before the official inauguration. Al-Tayeb Abbas, the head of the Antiquities Department at the museum, mentioned that this stage will help identify operational problems, such as areas that could receive a high influx of visitors, as part of the museum's ongoing preparations. The trial phase is intended to prepare for the full opening by identifying operational issues, including potential overcrowding.
The Grand Egyptian Museum is considered the largest in the world dedicated to a single civilization, showcasing over 100,000 archaeological pieces, including treasures from the tomb of King Tutankhamun. Located approximately two kilometers away from the famous Giza pyramid complex, it is expected to become a core facility of Egypt's tourism industry. Visitors are welcomed by a colossal statue of Ramses II, which is 10 meters tall and weighs 83 tons, alongside other majestic archaeological statues.
The grand staircase ascends to a platform, showcasing over 60 royal statues and unique artifacts, enhancing visitors' experience of ancient Egyptian heritage. The museum's halls are equipped with advanced technology, including display cases and interactive screens for augmented reality, offering multimedia presentations to provide a better understanding of the ancient Egyptians and their kings. The exhibitions in the 12 galleries address issues related to society, religion, and doctrine in ancient Egypt, including themes of "Kingship," "Society," and "Beliefs."
Despite the excitement surrounding the trial opening, some of the museum's most anticipated exhibits, such as the glittering King Tutankhamun collection and the solar boats buried by the Pyramid of Khufu, are yet to be unveiled. According to Dr. Eissa Zidan, the Director General of Restoration and Transfer of Antiquities at the museum, the experimental operation does not include displaying the artifacts of King Tutankhamun. He explained that the display of King Tutankhamun's artifacts will be part of the complete opening of the museum, which "will astonish the whole world." The treasures of King Tutankhamun will be displayed in full for the first time at the Grand Egyptian Museum.
The construction of the Grand Egyptian Museum has faced numerous delays due to cost issues, political turmoil, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Expenses soared to over $1 billion by 2018, and the opening has been postponed multiple times. Originally anticipated to open in 2012, the full inauguration is now estimated for early 2025. The opening has been delayed multiple times due to high costs, political upheavals, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Visitors from around the world have expressed their amazement at the museum's offerings. Aude Porcedde, a Canadian tourist, expressed her astonishment at the magnitude and cultural richness of the museum, stating, "There is a lot of history and many things we don't know, especially coming from the other side of the world." Jorge Licano, a Costa Rican tourist, shared his enthusiasm at learning from the locals, saying, "Seeing everything here and learning from the locals has been great."
The Grand Egyptian Museum is considered one of the most important and greatest achievements of modern Egypt and promises to become one of the new must-visit points in the country. Egyptian officials hope the museum will attract five million visitors a year, capturing the attention of both historians and international tourists. With its impressive facilities and vast collection, the museum promises to be a "gift to the whole world," as declared by Eissa Zidan.
In addition to the exhibition halls, the museum complex includes modern facilities for research and conservation of ancient artifacts, expected to stimulate local archaeologists and their studies in the area. The commercial area of the Grand Egyptian Museum is open to the public, featuring restaurants, cafes, and shops offering Egyptian brands, and showcasing monuments and artifacts, including sarcophagi and statues.
As the Grand Egyptian Museum continues its trial run, it aims to improve its services in preparation for the anticipated official event, integrating its goal of being an educational and cultural space. The trial phase will serve to prepare for the total inauguration of the museum, helping to identify operational issues and assess areas that may attract excessive numbers of visitors. Egyptian officials say numerous world leaders have expressed interest in attending the official opening, but the global opening date has not been set.
Sources: AP News, The Guardian, ABC News, Semana.com Últimas Noticias de Colombia y el Mundo, infobae, BBC, La Voz, La Nacion, Sciences et Avenir, The Japan Times, LaVanguardia, La Jornada
This article was written in collaboration with generative AI company Alchemiq