A delegation from the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities travelled recently to Cologne, Germany, to assess the suitability of the Odysseum Exhibition Hall for the upcoming ‘Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs’ exhibition.
Scheduled to take place from July 13, 2024 to January 6, 2025, the exhibition has already achieved success at the Australian Museum in Sydney. The exhibition also garnered significant acclaim in Houston and San Francisco in the US, as well as in the vibrant French capital, Paris.
It showcases the sarcophagus of King Ramses II, along with 181 other valuable artefacts and golden treasures. Among these extraordinary relics are sarcophagi, animal mummies, jewellery, royal masks, and amulets, many of which have never left Egypt’s borders.
Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, Mostafa Waziry, who leads the delegation during its visit to Cologne, said the purpose of the visit is to thoroughly evaluate final preparations for the upcoming exhibition.
The delegation’s main focus is to assess the readiness of the exhibition hall, scrutinising aspects, such as display screens, lighting, security, protection, and other vital elements, he added.
He referred to the importance of implementing some necessary security and protection measures, as well as precautionary measures to ensure the optimal presentation of the archaeological displays.
These exhibitions, Wazory said, serve as messengers that showcase Egypt’s rich heritage on a global scale.
Cologne was chosen as a host city for the exhibition primarily thanks to its advantageous location. Situated centrally among several major cities in Germany and in close proximity to the Netherlands, Belgium, and Switzerland, the German city offers unparalleled accessibility.
Additionally, it is a popular tourist destination that attracts a significant number of visitors from China, Japan, and America, Waziry said.
During the delegation’s tour of the Odysseum Exhibition Hall, Assistant Minister of Tourism and Antiquities for Digital Transformation, Khaled Sharif, examined entry points and secure storage rooms for the archaeological artefacts. He made sure that extensive measures were taken to preserve these artefacts in preparation for the exhibition.
Meanwhile, the hall’s surveillance cameras; motion detectors; fire systems, and self-extinguishing systems underwent a comprehensive review.
The exhibition hall, Sharif said, and its building would be monitored for 24 hours with the help of two control rooms.
“These rooms are equipped with multiple screens, overseeing over 150 surveillance cameras,” Sharif said.
“Additionally, security personnel will be present all the time during the exhibition,” he added.
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