The Grand Egyptian Museum is an eternal civilization with a sustainable vision
The Grand Egyptian Museum An eternal civilization with a sustainable vision
Egypt is moving steadily towards a future based on the Egyptian human being and his abilities, within the framework of Egypt Vision 2030, which is not limited to economic projects only, but also includes building human beings and strengthening national identity, and preparing for the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum is an important step that embodies this national trend, as the great Egyptian heritage is highlighted as part of the future of sustainable development in the country.
This comes amidst global anticipation and rising Egyptian passion, as the world’s attention turns on the third of next July to the city of Giza, to officially openThe Grand Egyptian Museum, an event that is described as the most prominent culturally and civilizationally in the twenty-first century, as this museum is considered the largest museum dedicated to one civilization in the world, which makes it a rare meeting point between the pedigree of history and the latest display technologies. Museum.
In this article,Earth Guardssheds light on this unique historical event, revealing the details of the project, the ongoing government preparations, the international reactions to this event, and the deep connections between the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that Egypt seeks to achieve within the framework of Egypt’s Vision 2030.
The Grand Museum is the largest global edifice for a single civilization
On an area exceeding 117 acres west of Cairo, sits the Grand Egyptian Museum, which is an unprecedented project in the history of international museums. It is the largest edifice dedicated to a single civilization in the world, combining the splendor of modern architecture with the depth of ancient Egyptian history. In addition to the exceptional location near the pyramids, the project received huge investments; The final cost of the museum was more than one billion dollars, which is double the budget that was planned when the project was launched in 2002. Which reflects the magnitude of the challenges and ambitions associated with this civilizational achievement.
The museum contains approximately 100,000 rare artifacts from various Pharaonic eras, led by the complete collection of King Tutankhamun’s treasures, which are displayed for the first time all together in a huge hall with an area of about 7,500 square meters, and includes 5,340 pieces that tell the king’s story in detail.
At the heart of the building, visitors are greeted by a huge statue of King Ramses II, weighing 83 tons, standing at the main entrance on an area of 7,000 square metres, surrounded by five giant antiquities that pave the way to the “Great Staircase”, which displays 87 huge pieces over an area of 6,000 square metres. Which turns entering the museum itself into a dazzling museum experience.
The museum gives great importance to the educational and entertainment dimensions. The museum’s stores include about 50,000 pieces prepared for restoration and study, in addition to a preservation and maintenance center that is considered among the largest in the world. Which consolidates its position as a scientific institution that contributes to the preservation of human heritage.
The museum is distinguished by providing an integrated educational and entertainment environment, as it contains a special section for children with an area of 5,000 square meters equipped with interactive media and educational models, in addition to various libraries that include the main library, the rare book library, and the visual library, as well as exhibition halls with an area of 650 square meters equipped with the latest standards to serve people with special needs.
Thanks to its use of the latest technological display techniques, the museum confirms its role as a sustainable cultural, scientific and tourism institution that effectively contributes to enhancing cultural awareness and scientific research, which was praised by the Chinese news agency “Xinhua” as a pioneering model in providing an integrated and distinguished visitor experience.
The museum is surrounded by more than 200,000 square meters of gardens and green spaces, distributed between the “Land of Egypt Garden”, the Exhibition Garden, and an open recreational garden. The site also includes an independent sun boat museum on an area of 4,000 square meters, a restaurant complex, and commercial corridors. Which makes it capable of receiving more than 15 thousand visitors daily, meaning more than 5 million visitors annually. To become a global cultural and tourism destination with distinction.
The Grand Egyptian Museum is an engine for sustainable development
Therefore, the construction of the Grand Egyptian Museum represents a cultural adventure in addition to being a huge development project carrying huge economic and tourism dimensions, and Egypt expects that the museum will become one of the most prominent sources of support for the local tourism economy, especially after the record numbers achieved by the country in 2024 in terms of the number of tourists, and thus the museum will become an effective driver of the economic cycle by providing direct and indirect job opportunities, and enhancing investments in hotels, services and logistics.
Government preparations for the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum
In this context, Egypt is preparing to open the Grand Egyptian Museum, and there is governmental follow-up at the highest level, in light of the state’s keenness to accomplish this event through organizational and logistical aspects, and also through international coordination; Which reflects the strategic importance that the state attaches to this project.
These preparations are not limited to the celebratory aspect only, but also include planning a series of cultural and tourism events scheduled to be organized after the opening in a number of prominent locations, with the aim of strengthening the museum’s role as a center of attraction whose influence extends to various governorates. Within the framework of these preparations, official invitations began to arrive to kings and heads of state, in a global celebration scene worthy of Egypt’s civilization. The museum is scheduled to receive high-level delegations from various parts of the world. To be a cultural diplomacy platform par excellence, celebrating the past and opening the doors to the future.
Global awards and international celebration
In this context, the Grand Egyptian Museum is receiving increasing international attention. Because of its status as one of the most prominent contemporary cultural heritage projects, and as a role model for combining modernity and sustainability, the museum won the 2024 Versailles International Prize after being selected among the seven most beautiful museums in the world, in recognition of its unique architectural design, its embodiment of Egypt’s cultural identity, and its strict commitment to environmental standards.
This appreciation extended to include the museum’s efficiency in management and implementation, as it won the award for the best international project for users of international contract forms (FIDIC), during a ceremony held in the British capital, London, which is the first precedent for an Egyptian project of this size. In another qualitative achievement that reflects Egypt’s commitment to environmental standards, the museum obtained the international certificate (EDGE Advance) for green buildings from the International Finance Corporation. To become the first green museum in Africa and the Middle East. This certificate highlights that the museum’s design and operation are being implemented according to a development vision that ensures efficient use of energy, water and resources, in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Between the praises of the American (Travel + Leisure) magazine, the British newspaper The Telegraph’s classification of the museum as one of the most prominent travel destinations for the year 2024, and Al-Monitor newspaper’s interest in analyzing the museum’s impact on the Egyptian economy; The Grand Egyptian Museum has become an ambassador of Egyptian identity in the international press, and a unique meeting point between ancient civilization and future innovations. Therefore, this multifaceted appreciation confirms that the museum represents a pioneering experience in employing cultural heritage within a framework that consolidates sustainable development efforts at all levels.
As the opening date approaches,Earth Guardsbelieves that this project represents an inspiring model for Egypt and the world, and a message that establishes a cultural awareness based on respecting the past and investing in the present wisely and responsibly, and appreciates the great efforts made by the state in completing this cultural edifice, and hopes that the museum will be a beacon of light. Paths of sustainable development, inspiring future generations.
