After more than two decades of planning and construction, Egypt has officially opened its long-anticipated museum dedicated to showcasing the country’s ancient heritage.
The grand opening on Saturday drew world leaders, including presidents and prime ministers, who gathered in Cairo for the long-delayed launch celebration.
The event was nothing short of spectacular, complete with dramatic pharaonic-themed visuals, a drone light show that painted ancient gods and pyramid shapes across the night sky, and performances by popular local artists.
Situated near the iconic Giza Pyramids and the Sphinx, the museum is designed to serve as the centerpiece of Egypt’s tourism revival and a key strategy to inject revenue into the struggling economy.
During the ceremony, President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi said Egypt was “writing a new chapter in the story of this ancient nation’s present and future.”
“This is the biggest museum in the world dedicated to a single civilization, Egypt’s civilization, whose glamor and grace never dim,” he stated.
He added that the museum “is not only a home for priceless relics, but a living testament to the genius of the Egyptian people.”
Construction of the $1 billion project began in 2005 during the rule of former President Hosni Mubarak. However, progress stalled during the political upheaval that followed the 2011 Arab Spring uprising that led to his removal.
The Grand Egyptian Museum is one of several large-scale projects championed by al-Sisi since taking office in 2014, all aimed at stimulating an economy weakened by years of instability.
With around 100,000 artefacts spread across its vast galleries, the museum spans nearly 7,000 years of Egyptian history and is expected to draw about 5 million visitors each year.
One of its biggest highlights is the full collection of treasures found in Tutankhamun’s tomb. For the first time since the discovery in 1922, the entire set, including the boy-king’s golden mask, throne, sarcophagus, and thousands of artifacts will be displayed together under one roof.
