After two decades of setbacks, including disruptions from the coronavirus pandemic and unfavorable geopolitical situations, the Grand Egyptian Museum is now gearing up for its grand opening. The museum, located near the Pyramids of Giza, will be fully accessible to visitors starting July 3, 2025, with an official opening ceremony scheduled for that day. It covers an area of 117 hectares just two kilometers from the pyramids, represents an experience that blends heritage and modern technology.
In a television interview, Dr. Ahmed Ghoneim, the CEO of the Grand Egyptian Museum Authority, confirmed that preparations are underway for "a dazzling opening ceremony of the Grand Museum, which will take place on Thursday, July 3 of this year."
The Grand Egyptian Museum is considered one of the most expensive museum complexes in modern history, with total construction costs exceeding 1.5 billion dollars, including a 300 million dollar Japanese loan. Part of the funding came from corporate financing. The museum's structure was designed by the Irish architectural firm Heneghan Peng Architects.
Among the artifacts being saved for the grand opening is the museum's treasure: a collection of 5,000 items from the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun, which includes the famous golden mask, sarcophagi, chariots, and jewelry. "All details of Tutankhamun, including his mask and items that have not been displayed before, such as the chariots, will be displayed in the museum," Ghoneim said, according to Youm7. "Even the embryos of Tutankhamun's daughters, which were found in the tomb, will be displayed for the first time," he noted.
The Tutankhamun Hall extends over an area of 7,500 square meters. Other Highlights include artifacts from Queen Hetephere, and the Solar Boats of Khufu, displayed for the first time.
"One of the boats, which is 44 meters long, was found near the pyramid and was transferred to the museum, while the second boat needs restoration," Ghoneim said.
Upon entering the Grand Egyptian Museum, guests are greeted by the Grand Hall, dominated by the colossal statue of Ramses II. The Grand Staircase leads to the main galleries where treasures from multiple dynasties are displayed. The front facade of the museum is in the shape of a pyramid.
"An expatriate, who works at Disney, visited the Grand Egyptian Museum and said: 'Egyptians should feel very proud of this giant project,'" Ghoneim said, according to Youm7.
The organization of the opening ceremony has been entrusted to United Media Services Company, which also organized the Golden Pharaohs Parade in Cairo in 2021 and the opening ceremony of the Avenue of Sphinxes in Luxor in the same year. "The official opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum will be something that corresponds to the significance of this global building, considered the largest museum in the world," said the Prime Minister of Egypt, Mustafa Madbouly, at a press conference.
This article was written in collaboration with generative AI company Alchemiq