With pyramids as backdrop, GEM welcomes world dignitaries in ceremony of fireworks and legacy
A $1.2 billion dream realised, opening gates of Egyptian history to the world
Tutankhamun’s full glory unveiled in 5,398 artefacts
The world’s eyes were fixed on the sands of Giza on Saturday, as Egypt officially inaugurated the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), the world’s largest archaeological museum specified for one civilisation, namely the ancient Egyptian civilisation.
The $1.2 billion facility stood in the middle of the grand festivity, which blended all types of amazing shows and performances by some of the world’s finest artists, exuding history and the ancient Egyptian splendour that has captivated humanity for millennia.
Having welcomed dozens of world leaders, including kings, queens, heads of state and senior country representatives, to the event, President Abdel Fattah El Sisi hailed the GEM as “Egypt’s gift to the world,” a bridge between ancient ingenuity and modern ambition.
“From the blessed land of Egypt, the cradle of human civilisation, I welcome our distinguished guests, the leaders and eminent dignitaries of the world, as we gather together to witness the inauguration of the Grand Egyptian Museum,” the Egyptian leader said, his voice resonating through the Atrium.
He wove a tapestry of continuity: “This monument embraces the treasures of ancient Egyptian civilisation while uniting the genius of the ancient Egyptian with the creativity of the contemporary Egyptian”.
The president’s speech was the evening’s emotional zenith, being delivered with measured gravitas before the assembled throng.
He evoked the museum’s universal resonance, declaring it “a source of pride to every believer in the unity of humanity and in the values of peace, love, and co-operation among nations”.
The speech, lasting for less than five minutes, was a master-class in soft power.
President Sisi linked the GEM to Egypt’s recent unending endeavours to bring about peace in the region, ones that position it as a steward of harmony.
“Today, the eyes of the world turn to Egypt on a momentous historical occasion worthy of the grandeur of its Pharaonic civilisation,” he continued, “as the world now witnesses the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum, a monumental edifice that embodies the continuity of an enduring civilisation, bridging the past, present, and future.”
He concluded with warmth, wishing guests “an enjoyable time in Egypt with the warm embrace of the past and the present,” encapsulating the event’s dual role as heritage celebration and economic overture.
The event, shrouded in grandeur and broadcast live on TikTok, drew 79 official delegations from 75 nations, including 39 heads of state and government, underscoring Egypt’s enduring global allure.
The GEM’s genesis traces back to 1992, when Egyptian authorities recognised the inadequacies of the century-old Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square.
Construction commenced in 2005 under the design of Dublin-based Heneghan Peng Architects, blending minimalist sandstone facades with expansive glass walls that frame the Pyramids as living exhibits.
The opening ceremony of the museum threw light on the wonders it houses as well as its innovative construction style.
Sustainability was shown being woven into the facility’s core: energy-efficient lighting, water-recycling systems, and a reflective roof mitigate the desert’s harsh climate, ensuring the GEM would endure as a hub of innovation.
At the heart of the inauguration lay the Tutankhamun Galleries, two dedicated halls unveiling 5,398 artefacts from the boy-king’s tomb, intact since Howard Carter’s 1922 discovery.
This gives visitors the chance to behold the entire collection in one space, for the first time. This collection includes the golden funerary mask, inlaid with lapis lazuli and quartzite, the ornate throne depicting Tutankhamun and his queen Ankhesenamun, and a gold-covered sarcophagus evoking the pharaoh’s divine aura.
Adjacent, the restored Khufu Solar Boat Museum displays the 4,600-year-old vessel, a testament to ancient maritime prowess.
These unveilings transformed the GEM from a repository into a narrative odyssey, where colossal statues like the 11-metre Ramesses II greet entrants in the 10,000-square-metre Atrium.
The opening ceremony of the museum unfoldedagainst the twilight silhouette of the Pyramids, commencing at 7:30pm local time with a torchlight procession symbolising the artefacts’ ceremonial migration from Tahrir Square.
Fireworks illuminated the Giza skyline, tested days earlier, while a 27-metre iron sentinel statue by Egyptian artist Diaa Awed stood vigil at the entrance.
Security was airtight, with Cairo’s sidewalks repainted and mobile networks rebranded “Egypt is Proud – GEM” to foster national fervour.
The government’s decision to make the day a paid holiday civil servants and private sector workers also gave them the chance to take part in the jubilation, even as most of remained glued to television screens to watch the event broadcast live.
Celebrities and cultural icons mingled with over 60 heads of state, priming the event as a diplomatic coup.
Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli, in a pre-ceremony briefing, described it as “a night to remember,” emphasising the GEM’s role in Egypt’s post-ceasefire regional stabilisation.
