UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATION INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NUBIA MUSEUM IN ASWAN AND THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF EGYPTIAN CIVILIZATION IN CAIRO FIFTEENTH SESSION OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Paris, 28-29 JUNE 2005 FINAL REPORT INTRODUCTION 1. The 15th Session of the Executive Committee of the International Campaign for the Establishment of the Nubia Museum in Aswan and the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) in Cairo was held at UNESCO headquarters from 28 to 29 June 2005. 2. The representatives of fifteen countries, elected by the General Conference of UNESCO at its 32nd Session, participated in the meeting. Representatives of the International Council of Museums (ICOM), the International Center for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) attended the meeting as observers (see Annex 1). 3. On behalf of the Director General, Mounir Bouchenaki welcomed the participants to the opening session of the Executive Committee. He particularly welcomed the Egyptian authorities represented by Dr Zahi Hawass, Vice-Chairman of the Executive Committee, H.E. Ahmed Rifaat, Ambassador of Egypt to UNESCO, Mr Abdel Moneim Director of NMEC and Ms Gihane Zaki, representative of the Supreme Council of Antiquities. He mentioned to be honored to have Dr Vatandoust, as Chairman of the Executive Committee and Mrs A. Zacarias as Rapporteur. Recalling UNESCO’s long lasting involvement in the restoration works throughout the world such as in Cambodia, Jerusalem, Sanaa he stressed that the Egyptian Campaign in Nubia was undoubtedly a reference model to follow. This International Campaign gave the guidelines for the preservation of cultural heritage worldwide. He further stressed that the UNESCO World Heritage convention of 1972 also took its roots in the Egypt’s International Campaign. Nowadays Egypt is still a model to follow in terms of international cooperation and preservation of cultural heritage. 4. Mounir Bouchenaki further mentioned that during his last mission to Cairo he had seen the fieldwork of the NMEC, which is rapidly advancing since its opening is foreseen in 2008. He gave a brief history of the relocation of the museum to its new site of Fustat, which is more adapted to the needs of possibility of further expansion and in close relation with Great Cairo and well integrated in the landscape. As the museological programme is now being developed, he stressed the importance to work contemporarily on the construction of the museum and its refurbishing, and training of its staff. He also mentioned that the Documentation Center on Tangible and Intangible Heritage would be established within the NMEC and that partnerships with 1 institutions abroad should be strengthened in order to create a network of museums of the same kind to enhance NMEC’s sustainability. 5. As for the Aswan Museum, Mr Bouchenaki mentioned its role of museum opened towards Africa, in particular Sudan. He stressed the importance of the newly signed MoU between the Supreme Council of Antiquities –SCA- (Egypt) and the National Corporation for Antiquities and Museums –NCAM- (Sudan) to deliver joint activities in the field of cultural heritage. He hoped that a fruitful collaboration continues and further develops the Aswan Museum as a training center in the region. He also recalled the success of the exhibition Nubia Campaign : Yesterday and Today which took place at Headquarters in April 2005 and informed the participants to the Session that an information meeting for the UNESCO Member States and Permanent Observers will follow the 15th Session of the Executive Committee. Finally, he recalled the last issue of Museum International entitled “Heritage Landscape of Egypt” which focuses on cultural heritage in Egypt with a particular attention on the Nubia Campaign and the establishment of the Nubia Museum and the NMEC. At last, he warmly wished to all Member States and observers a fruitful work. 6. On behalf of the Minister of Culture, Dr. Hawass, Vice Chairman of the Committee, welcomed the participants and thanked them for their attendance. He thanked particularly the Chairman, the Rapporteur, the Director of the Division of Cultural Heritage and the Secretariat of the Committee for their work dedicated to the Nubia Museum in Aswan and the NMEC in Cairo so far. He then expressed his deep satisfaction in the cooperation work between UNESCO and Egypt for the protection of cultural heritage. He then presented the cultural strategy of Egypt in the field of museums and the outcomes of traveling exhibition. He mentioned the exhibition King Tutankhamon already had a profit of over 9 million USD, which to be used for the establishment of museums in Egypt. 7. The Vice-Chairman then gave a brief introduction of the management of sites in Nubia and particularly the opening by President Moubarak of the Kalabsha island and the site of the unfinished obelisk. He stressed that the Egyptian authorities have concentrated in projects dedicated to preservation and restoration of sites. Since tourism in Egypt is increasing, the management sites, their accessibility and presentation are a necessity. 8. Then, he expressed with satisfaction that the contract for the construction of the NMEC was signed last year and is a very important step of as establishment of the museum. He announced that as requested by the Committee, the lake is now fully part of the museum’s landscape. He also stressed that since the NMEC is the first museum of civilization in Egypt, UNESCO’s advice is of high importance. Therefore, the museology of the museum shall be studied in close collaboration with UNESCO and in order to offer to the visitors a wide and complete outlook on Egyptian Civilization throughout different historical periods. The museum will host the collection of royal mummies and modern technology should be used to give to the visitors a lively educational approach of mummification, through the explanation of rituals, traditions, techniques etc. The scope of NMEC is to have a strong educational role. 2 9. Following the joint mission to Sudan and the signature of the MoU between the Egyptian and Sudanese authorities, Dr Hawass expressed the hope that, through the support of UNESCO, the collaboration with Sudan be strengthened. He then mentioned that the exhibition Nubia Campaign: Yesterday and Today shall soon be hosted in the Cairo Museum and presented together with Nubian artifacts. Dr Hawass expressed his hope that the Director General of UNESCO be able to attend the opening. 10. Moreover, he stressed the importance of the restitution of illicitly exported artifacts to their countries of origin and that cooperation with foreign countries shall be enhanced in order to achieve a better protection of national collections. 11. Finally, he invited the Executive Committee to hold its next Session in Cairo in order to visit the construction field of NMEC. He wished that the outcomes of this Session would be fruitful and that collaboration with UNESCO continues fruitfully. 12. Dr A. Vatandoust, Chairman of the Executive Committee, welcomed the participants and expressed the honor to be both part of the Committee and involved as an expert in the Nubia Museum and NMEC. He then thanked the Secretariat for its work. The agenda was adopted as follow: i. Opening of the session ii. Adoption of the agenda iii. The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (a) Report of Secretariat (b) Report by the Egyptian authorities (c) Revision of implementation by topic, discussion and decision of the follow up of activity iv. The Nubia Museum (a) Report of Secretariat (b) Report by the Egyptian authorities (c) Revision of implementation by topic, discussion and decision of the follow up of activity v. Discussion and recommendations 3 THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF EGYPTIAN CIVILIZATION 13. Progress of work and implementation of recommendations: i. Mrs A. Paolini, Secretariat of the Committee, presented the UNESCO report on the implementation of the recommendations of the 14th Session and the last Bureau meeting of the Executive Committee related to NMEC, with a detailed budget breakdown of the expenses made for each recommendation. The Secretariat informed the Committee that two missions of international experts were organized to further develop together with the Scientific Committee of NMEC the concept of the Museum into the museological programme. The themes were developed into sub-subject and the object selection has started in accordance to the themes, from prehistory to modern era. ii. The Secretariat further stressed that the construction of the museum is very advanced and that three missions of experts were carried out for the revision of the architectural project. Following these missions and after revision of the architectural project by the Egyptian authorities the final plans have been approved. It was stressed that there is still a need to review the security in the building, both in regard to object’s and visitor’s security and to further develop the museum’s landscape. Since the architectural part is near to completion, UNESCO’s task is to concentrate on training programmes and education. iii. A brief presentation on the results of mission, carried out by two experts, for the Documentation Center on Tangible and Intangible Heritage, was given and it was mentioned that the Egyptian Society for Folk Tradition received a contract to start a research on intangible heritage. The Secretariat stressed that since the Supreme Council of Antiquities already carries out a programme for establishing a GIS on archaeological sites in Egypt there was no use to duplicate the work and that the Committee should decide on the use of the funds for the establishment of the above Documentation Center. The Secretariat further gave a brief outlook on the two workshops organized for the NMEC staff which included practical activities in Cairo museums, and training in history of Egyptian civilization which is ongoing.