CAIRO – Director General of Executive Affairs for Restoration and Transfer of Antiquities at the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) Issa Zidan said Monday that placing the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) on the list of 7 must-visit tourist destinations in 2024 by American magazine ‘Newsweek’ is an indication of the beauty and significance of Egyptian museums which certainly would reflect on the increased popularity of tourism in Egypt.
Speaking on the phone with “8 am” TV programme on DMC channel (Monday), Zidan said that the museum is considered the largest cultural and civilisational institution presented by Egypt to the world.
It stands out with numerous unique archaeological pieces not found in other museums world-wide, such as the hanging obelisk of King Ramses, the Great Hall of King Ramses, and the column of King Merneptah, Zidan added.
Additionally, unique artifacts from the tomb of King Tutankhamun will be displayed for the first time during the official opening of the museum, he noted.
He further added that the museum also houses King Khufu’s Boat Museum, which is considered the largest specialised museum in the world, and various authentic Egyptian concepts that enhance the museum’s beauty. These include simulation programs, one of which narrates the story of the River Nile god Hapi, who stands at the head of the Nile to protect and provide water and prosperity to Egypt.
Zidan emphasised that Egypt presented the museum to the world as an artistic masterpiece, comparable in beauty to the construction of the three pyramids, he said and even considered it as the fourth pyramid due to its inclusion of numerous Egyptian treasures that narrate the history of ancient Egypt and affirm the greatness of its position and civilisation.
