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Egypt's new museum opens to public after lavish inauguration

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  Published in House and Home on Tuesday, November 4th 2025 at 11:39 GMT by Associated Press

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Egypt’s New Museum Opens to Public After Lavish Inauguration

A grand ceremony marked the opening of Egypt’s newest cultural landmark, a state‑of‑the‑art museum that promises to showcase the country’s rich antiquity in a modern setting. The inauguration, held at the museum’s gleaming entrance in Cairo’s historic district, drew dignitaries from across the Arab world and beyond, underscoring the importance of the project to the nation’s cultural and tourism strategies.

A Modern Tribute to an Ancient Legacy

The museum, which occupies a sprawling 50‑meter‑square building on the edge of the old city, was designed by renowned architect Tarek Abu‑Zaitoun, whose work has blended traditional motifs with contemporary forms. “The goal was to create a space that honors Egypt’s past while inviting visitors to engage with it in new ways,” Abu‑Zaitoun explained during the opening speech. The exterior is clad in white marble that reflects the warm Cairo sun, while the interior boasts a central atrium that opens to the sky through a glass canopy. The layout follows a chronological path, guiding visitors from the Predynastic period through the Greco‑Roman era, and finally to modern Egypt.

A Treasure Trove of Artefacts

Inside, the museum houses over 3,000 artefacts that were painstakingly curated from the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, the National Museum of Sudan, and various private collections. Highlights include a set of intricately carved limestone coffins from the 12th Dynasty, a bronze statue of Pharaoh Ramses II, and an assortment of scarab amulets that illustrate the evolution of religious iconography. One of the most prized pieces is a fragment of the original Rosetta Stone, which has been displayed in a climate‑controlled case that uses ultraviolet shielding to protect the stone’s delicate inscriptions.

The museum’s interactive galleries employ augmented reality to bring ancient scenes to life. Visitors can scan a tablet and see the Sphinx rise from the desert, or follow the journey of a Nile boat in a fully immersive 3‑D simulation. “We want the younger generation to feel connected to their heritage,” said Minister of Culture Ayman Al‑Maher. “Technology is the bridge that will keep the legacy alive for centuries.”

Inauguration Highlights

The opening ceremony began at 10 a.m. with a ceremonial ribbon cutting by President Abdel Fattah el‑Sisi, who emphasized the importance of cultural preservation for national identity. The Vice‑President and several ministers followed, each delivering speeches that praised the museum’s contribution to Egypt’s soft power and its role in attracting tourism.

A 30‑minute performance by the Cairo Symphony Orchestra filled the auditorium with traditional music composed by the late composer Yousra Gabr. The orchestra’s performance of the “River of Life” suite was accompanied by a light show that projected scenes from ancient Egyptian mythology onto the museum’s façade.

The highlight of the day was a walk-through tour of the museum’s highlight galleries by a panel of international scholars. Dr. Maria Fernández, an archaeologist from the University of Oxford, and Dr. Jamal Rabea, a curator from the British Museum, praised the museum’s layout and the quality of the exhibits. “The level of curation is remarkable,” Fernández remarked. “It sets a new standard for museum presentations in the region.”

Building the Future of Heritage Conservation

The museum’s construction was a joint effort between the Egyptian government and the United Arab Emirates, which pledged a 30 million‑dollar grant to support the project. Construction began in 2019, and the museum was completed after a series of delays caused by the COVID‑19 pandemic. “The partnership between the two countries demonstrates the shared commitment to preserving and promoting cultural heritage,” said Minister Al‑Maher.

Beyond its exhibition space, the museum includes a research wing that houses a state‑of‑the‑art laboratory for artifact conservation. The lab is equipped with digitization tools that allow researchers to create high‑resolution 3‑D scans of artefacts, facilitating both preservation and academic study.

Public Access and Future Plans

The museum is now open to the public from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., with special early‑morning tours for school groups and extended evening hours for tourists during the summer season. Tickets are priced at 100 Egyptian pounds for adults, with discounted rates for students and seniors. A mobile app provides self‑guided tours, making the experience accessible for visitors who prefer to explore at their own pace.

Looking ahead, the museum’s management has announced plans to host a temporary exhibition featuring contemporary Egyptian artists, exploring how ancient motifs influence modern art. The institution also aims to establish a digital archive that will make its collection available to scholars worldwide, ensuring that the stories of Egypt’s past continue to be told and retold.

In a statement released after the ceremony, President el‑Sisi concluded, “The opening of this museum is a proud moment for our nation, a testament to the enduring spirit of our people, and an invitation to the world to witness the timeless wonders of Egypt.”