Cabinet: Final touches on the Grand Egyptian Museum will be completed end-February
All work being carried out at the Grand
Egyptian Museum (GEM) will be completed by the end of February, according to a
Cabinet statement.
The Cabinet statement came after Prime
Minister Mostafa Madbouly inspected final preparations at the GEM in
preparation for its official inauguration.
During the PM's inspection tour, Atef
Moftah, the general supervisor of the GEM project, confirmed to Madbouly
that all the work being carried out at the GEM, including engineering work
and the organization of the display of artefacts, will be completed by the
end of February,” according to the statement.
The museum will be ready after
that point for its official opening, added Moftah.
Artefacts were installed for display
in the mail hall of the GEM, which extends over 22,000 square meters, he
explained.
Two halls displaying the treasures of
King Tutankhamun and the Grand Staircase have already opened in December 2023,
said Moftah.
The GEM mega project – which overlooks
the Giza Plateau – will be Egypt's first-ever eco-friendly
museum and the world’s largest museum that focuses on a single
civilization.
“This enormous cultural and
civilizational edifice will present to the whole world a dazzling architectural
masterpiece that includes the treasures of ancient Egyptian civilization,”
Madbouly said during his inspection tour.
In March 2023, the GEM started
offering a limited number of guided tours via online booking,
with visitors allowed access to the Hanging Obelisk, the Glass Hall,
and the Atrium.
Inside the Atrium, visitors have been
able to enjoy the sight of the colossal statue of King Ramses II, the massive
victory column of King Merneptah, and statues of a king and queen
from the Ptolemaic era. They also enjoy gardens, cafes, restaurants,
and gift shops.
In November 2022,
the GEM started hosting selected private events.
Source: State
Information Service