The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) has officially opened its doors to the world, promising to serve as a bridge between the rich history of ancient Egyptian civilization and a future marked by cooperation and peace. This event took place during a vibrant ceremony that highlighted Egypt”s historical and artistic values while emphasizing the country”s aspirations for the future. The museum will open to the public on November 4, showcasing more than 100,000 artifacts that span over 7,000 years, from predynastic Egypt to the Greco-Roman period.
The inauguration attracted numerous heads of state, including King Felipe VI of Spain and President Gustavo Petro of Colombia. The carefully orchestrated ceremony celebrated the glories of Egypt”s past while underscoring the GEM”s role as an instrument of peace and dialogue, particularly in light of the current tensions within the host country. President Abdelfatah al Sisi remarked, “We have invited you to this land of peace and love, to enjoy this celebration and make this museum a platform for dialogue, a destination for knowledge, and a harbor for humanity.”
Al Sisi emphasized that “civilization is built in times of peace and disseminated through the cooperation of peoples,” marking the museum”s opening as a new chapter in Egypt”s present and future. The ceremony commenced with the arrival of distinguished guests at a specially decorated venue outside the GEM, where the decorations and lighting were inspired by the nearby pyramids of Giza.
As ultralight aircraft flew over the museum displaying the message “Welcome to the Land of Peace,” nearly 80 world leaders posed for a family photo before entering the main stage amid fanfare. Hundreds of performers dressed as ancient Egyptians filled the museum and other locations worldwide, connected in real-time for the event. The initial segment of the ceremony focused on celebrating the universality of ancient Egypt and fostering international cooperation, beginning with a performance by an orchestra in Japan, which financed the museum”s construction, followed by connections to Paris, Rio de Janeiro, and New York.
Under the theme that “power is measured in ideas, not in weapons,” the ceremony showcased Egypt”s cultural aspects and diversity, featuring links to Luxor, Aswan, the churches in Cairo”s Coptic district, and the heart of the Islamic neighborhood in the capital.
Following President al Sisi”s speech, he placed the final stone of the museum”s construction, which illuminated, signifying that “the silence of the stones not only recalls the past but also lights up the future.” Subsequently, a child served as a narrative thread as the museum”s treasures were revealed, including the colossal statues of Ramses II and the boats of Khufu, which appeared to float across the Egyptian night sky.
The event concluded with a tribute to Tutankhamun, whose golden funerary mask and other burial artifacts will now be central pieces at the GEM. His image illuminated the sky as a fitting tribute, leading to a spectacular fireworks display and a private visit by officials to the museum, away from public view. The GEM, which began construction two decades ago, is the world”s largest museum dedicated to a single civilization, resulting from an investment of nearly 1.2 billion dollars. It aims to welcome around five million visitors annually and seeks to establish Egypt as a premier destination for cultural tourism.
