Copyright thehindu
It is evident. All of Egypt is excited about the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM). You can see it on the roads of a bustling Cairo city with posters announcing its arrival. At the Cairo Airport too, one can find huge billboards announcing the opening that took place on November 1, urging tourists to visit their latest attraction. In-flight promotional material have a ready script too. And why not? With over 50,000 artefacts from across 7,000 years, the GEM showcases a variety of objects. One such is the grand obelisk of Ramses II or Ramses the Great, one of the key rulers of Egypt for more than 60 years, reigning between 1279-1213 BC. This obelisk was discovered in the ancient city of Tanis. It is elevated on a granite base, making it probably the only suspended obelisk in the world, revealing the cartouche of the king. The GEM also features statues from kings and queens Senusret 1 and Ptolemaic, apart from other significant rulers of the region. But the highlight is bound to be the extraordinary treasure and collection of Tutankhamun, who, despite ruling Egypt for a short 10-year term left a lasting impact thanks to the plethora of riches in his nearly-intact tomb discovered in 1922. This exclusive gallery, unveiled under one roof for the first time, includes over 6,000 artefacts and intimate possessions that give people a glimpse of the Egypt of yore. Also exciting, especially for people with a keen interest in history and culture, is the King Khufu’s Boats Museum, which includes a fully reconstructed boat. Apart from displaying this means of transport, this section also explains how the River Nile, an integral part of ancient and modern Egypt, played a pivotal role in enhancing trade and culture in the region. Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly remarked in a press conference, that the GEM is a “gift from Egypt to the whole world from a country whose history goes back more than 7,000 years.” At its official inauguration, President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi stated, “This magnificent edifice is not just a place; it is a living testament to the genius of the Egyptian people who built the pyramids and inscribed their story on the walls”. He added, “Egypt has inspired all the peoples of the earth, and from the banks of the Nile, civilization and human progress have shone forth.” Located strategically near the world-famous Pyramids of Giza, which can be viewed from the Grand Staircase inside the place, the GEM also has Augmented Reality Experiences, auditoria and a children’s museum. The GEM is the latest addition to the rich collection present in museums across Egypt. Cairo already boasts the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC), where royal mummies can be viewed, and the Museum of Islamic Art. (The writer was in Egypt at the invitation of Egypt Tourism)
