The Pharaohs' Golden Parade
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Last Page The 65th Anniversary of the Center of Studies and Documentation of Egyptian Antiquities Annex The project to establish the High Dam had many economic and social benefits for Egypt, as well as its Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities Newsletter negative consequences, represented in the damage that occurred to the group of unique temples that were vulnerable to sinking and extinction under the waters of the lake behind the dam. Therefore, Egypt April 2021 وزارة السياحة واآلثار contacted UNESCO to take its steps towards directing an international call to participate in the project to save this cultural heritage in what was known as the international campaign to salvage the Nubian temples. In order to preserve this cultural heritage, a specialized scientific center has been established to document these temples before they are transferred from their original place. The idea of establishing the Center of Studies and Documentation of Egyptian Antiquities came under Law No. 148 of May 1955 ,4; Decree No. 184 of 1956 was issued on April 25 to establish the Center of Studies and Documentation of Egyptian Antiquities which was located behind the Egyptian Museum, and then a new building was constructed. It consists of 6 floors at its current headquarters in the Zamalek neighborhood. The center celebrates its anniversary on April 25 of each year. The Center of Studies and Documentation of Egyptian Antiquities is the witness and custodian of documents and information that recorded the most important periods of archaeological work in the past and present century, such as the rescue of the two temples of Abu Simbel, the Temple of Philae Island and the Temple of Kalabsha. As the mission of the center is to document and study Egyptian antiquities, scientific publication of them, and work to register movable antiquities in addition to fixed antiquities. The center also carried out the work of recording and scientific documentation of many archaeological areas in Egypt, such as documenting the 21 temples of Nubia. Currently the Center digitizes images, and glass and gelatinous (films) negatives, which are contained in the scientific archive of the center, as for the scientific publication, the Center has published many books in the last 5 years. Within the framework of the center’s role as a scientific institution, a number of joint missions have been coordinated in cooperation between the center and a number of scientific universities. The Center also carried out the work of eradication, restoration and scientific documentation of the tombs of Ribu TT 416 and Samut TT 417 in Luxor. Dr Hisham Elleithy, Under Secretary of State for Documentation of Egyptian Antiquities Editor: Rana Gohar Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities Co-editor: Mohamed Saad Misr Travel Tower, Abbasseya Square, Cairo, Egypt 3 Apri, 2021 Newsletter Team: Contact us: Newsletter Issues www.egymonuments.gov.eg Ebtesam Yehya Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities Karim El-Ridy ministry_ tourism_ antiquities Designer: Marwa El Shimy @TourismandAntiq Printed by: MoTA Press Email: [email protected] 12 Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities Newsletter - Issue 16 - April 2021 Annex - April 2021 Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities Newsletter 1 The President Receives The Royal Mummies A majestic mythical procession, a pure Egyptian Parade in every detail; production, directing and design. All state authorities participated to make it happen. All joined forces to make this an unprecedented event, befitting Egypt and the greatness of its ancestors and the nobility of its civilization. The royal journey of the "Pharaohs’ Golden Parade” started at the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir at 6:40 pm on 3 April, 2021. A date that the world will always remember, as 22 mummies of the kings and queens of ancient Egypt roamed the streets of Cairo in 42 minutes, and were greeted by 21 gun salutes that were fired marking their arrival at their permanent display place in the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization. His Excellency the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt personally received those kings and queens who ruled Egypt and made their mark in its great civilization, in a scene that the whole world spoke about and will be cherished by everyone and remembered by generations to come. Tweets of HE the President on the day of the Parade 2 Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities Newsletter Annex - April 2021 Annex - April 2021 Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities Newsletter 3 A scene that emphasized Egypt’s pride in its history, and its respect for its kings who wrote the history of mankind. Czech Republic, Hungary, the European Union, Cyprus, Saudi Arabia, Greece, Russia, Italy, Belgium, Belarus On this day, Egypt presented a unique and unprecedented once in a lifetime event. As part of the Pharaohs’ and Romania. During the ceremony, the Ministry launched a film that shed light on the state’s efforts in the Golden Parade, Egypt presented a cultural and artistic celebration that was witnessed by the whole world, preservation of Egyptian antiquities. showcasing Egypt’s pride in its great civilization, at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization In his speech, during the celebration, the Minister said that the President’s attendance of this unique cultural, touristic in Fustat. This celebration was attended by prominent guests including the Director-General of UNESCO, the once in a lifetime event that will have a big impact in raising awareness, confirms that Egypt places its civilization and Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization, and the Ministers of Tourism of Greece and the Kingdom its monuments on the top of its priorities; and that it is proud of its ancestors who wrote its history. of Saudi Arabia; and about 20 ambassadors from all over the world , including the USA, France, Japan, the He explained that the Parade had four heroes: the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Fustat, the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir, and the biggest hero that embraced all is beautiful Cairo, and of coarse the main hero is the Royal Mummies. 4 Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities Newsletter Annex - April 2021 Annex - April 2021 Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities Newsletter 5 1. The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization is located in Fustat, the first capital of Egypt and The Museum of Egyptian Civilization is an integrated cultural complex, the only one of its kind in Islamic Africa, and part of Historic Cairo registered as a World Heritage Site of UNESCO. the Middle East. It is built on an area of 135,000 square meters, and the display scenario of the The idea of establishing the museum began through an agreement signed with UNESCO in 1983, artifacts in the museum was supervised by anEgyptian Scenario Committee. and the foundation stone was laid in this genius site in November 2002. Work stopped in 2011, On April 3, the President inaugurated the Central Exhibition Hall of the museum which narrates the and the temporary exhibition hall was opened in February 2017 in the presence of the former history of Egypt from prehistoric times until today; and the Royal Mummies Hall, which is equipped Director-General of UNESCO. with state-of-the-art museum display technology. It is specially designed to preserve and showcase mummies in the way that befits their greatness. 6 Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities Newsletter Annex - April 2021 Annex - April 2021 Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities Newsletter 7 2. The Egyptian Museum in Tahrir The Egyptian Museum in Tahrir, which has been dazzling the world since its inauguration in 1902, is Although the Royal Mummies have been transferred to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, undergoing a renovation and development process. A development project is being implemented other mummies will remain in the Museum. The Museum also displays the complete collection of in cooperation with the European Union with an alliance of museums including five of the most Yuya and Tuya, in addition to the golden collection of San El-Hagar that will replace the treasures of important museums in the world; namely the Egyptian Museum in Turin, Italy, the Louvre in France, Tutankhamun after being transferred to the Grand Egyptian Museum, and many more of this unique and the British Museum in England, and the Egyptian Museum in Berlin in Germany, the National museum’s treasures. The museum’s general site has also been revamped; including the external Museum of Archeology in Leiden, Netherlands, in addition to the French Institute of Oriental façades, the entrance, the outer walls, the museum garden and the fountain, and a new lighting Archeology (IFAO) in Cairo, and the Federal Office for Building and Regional Planning in Berlin. system for the façades has been improved. Treasures of the Museum 8 Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities Newsletter Annex - April 2021 Annex - April 2021 Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities Newsletter 9 3. Cairo The biggest hero who embraced the “Pharaohs’ Golden Parade” was beautiful Cairo, which the parade contributed to increasing its beauty after the development of locations along the route of the parade, especially Tahrir Square. Tahrir Square was developed in cooperation between the Ministry, the Ministry of Housing, Utilities and New Urban Communities and Cairo Governorate. The obelisk of King Ramses II, which was transferred from San El-Hagar archeological site, now stands tall adorning the Square, surrounded by the four Sphinx-headed rams that were transported from Luxor. The area of Magra El-Ayoun and Ain El-Sira were also upgraded. All of this was done under the supervision of the Prime Minister of Egypt. 10 Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities Newsletter Annex - April 2021 Annex - April 2021 Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities Newsletter 11 4. The Royal Mummies The main hero was “the Royal Mummies”. The parade included 22 mummies of great kings and queens of Egypt from the 17th to the 20th dynasties of the New Kingdom.