Madagascar President Michael Randrianirina visited the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) in Cairo during an official trip to Egypt, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said in a statement.
Randrianirina toured the museum’s outdoor plaza, main atrium, Grand Staircase, principal galleries and the galleries devoted to King Tutankhamun. He was briefed on the exhibition’s design, the museum’s most important artefacts and the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb and treasures.
He stopped before the statue of Ramses II in the main atrium and expressed admiration for its monumental size, intricate carving and craftsmanship, the statement said.
The Madagascan president also showed particular interest in Tutankhamun’s chariots and armour, praising their precision and workmanship as evidence of the advancement and creativity of ancient Egyptian civilisation.
In the museum’s visitors’ book, Randrianirina described the institution as more than a magnificent building housing priceless treasures and antiquities, calling it “a tribute to the greatness of a timeless civilisation that continues to inspire humanity.”
He praised the museum’s exhibition design as “remarkable”, saying it spoke “a universal language whose title is wisdom, beauty and resilience.”
The president also congratulated the Egyptian government and people for presenting the world with “this unique and unparalleled treasure.”
Randrianirina was received by the museum’s chief executive, Ahmed Ghoneim, and the museum’s deputy chief executive for archaeological affairs, Khaled Hassan.
