NMEC & Dr. Ahmed Ghoneim had the pleasure to host a book talk, and Q&A session with Egyptologist & Author; Dr. Bob Brier, to discuss his most recent book; “The Luxor Obelisk and Its Voyage to Paris”.

In collaboration with AUC Press, the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization hosted a book talk and a Q&A session with Egyptologist & Author; Dr. Bob Brier, to discuss his most recent book; “The Luxor Obelisk and Its Voyage to Paris” (AUC Press, 2021).
The book talk was attended by Dr. Ahmed Ghoneim, Managing Executive Director of NMEC, along with a considerable number of scholars from across Cairo, many of whom are Egyptologists, and are completing research in various aspects of Egyptology. In his book, Dr. Brier recounts the voyage of the two-hundred-and-fifty-ton Luxor obelisk that dates back to the reign of King Ramses II, from Egypt to the French capital; Paris, in one of the greatest engineering triumphs of the early 19th century.
It is worth-mentioning that the transferred obelisk was the first ever to leave Egypt, as no obelisk this size had left the country in nearly two thousand years. Thanks to the brilliant young engineer; Apollinaire Lebas, the obelisk was raised at the famous Place de la Concorde in front of thousands cheering Parisians on October 25th, 1836, in a prestigious event held by King Louis- Philippe.
For his part, Dr. Ahmed Ghoneim, Managing Executive Director of NMEC, confirmed that the symposium comes within NMEC’s framework of diversifying its offered cultural activities. Dr. Ghoneim as well emphasized the importance of organizing such events as it encourages its audience to examine and deeply investigate the many episodes of Egypt’s rich history.

President of the National Assembly of the Republic of South Korea Byung-Seok Park and his accompanying delegation visited the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, on the sidelines of his official visit to Egypt.

Continuing his tour of Cairo, President of the National Assembly of the Republic of South Korea Byung-Seok Park and his accompanying delegation visited the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization and the Complex of Religions, on the sidelines of his official visit to Egypt.
During their visit to NMEC, they were received by Dr. Ahmed Ghoneim, the Managing Executive Director of NMEC, where they toured the Core Exhibition Hall and the Royal Mummies Hall, which became the focus of the world’s attention and a source of attraction for visitors. The delegation was keen to visit the gift house in the museum, which displays the archaeological reproductions of the Kunooz Archaeological Factory. Moreover, the delegation toured the Complex of Religions in Old Egypt, where they visited the historic Abu Serga Church (the Cave Church), and listened to a detailed presentation of the history of the area and the restoration and development work that was carried out in it. At end of their visit, our guests have expressed their sincere admiration to the forms of tolerance presented throughout the various ages of Egyptian Civilization.

NMEC Summer School concludes its training program

NMEC Summer School concludes its training program offered to the students and alumni of the Faculty of Archaeology in a number of Egyptian Universities.
Dr. Ahmed Ghoneim, Managing Executive Director of NMEC, emphasized that providing such programs is one of NMEC’s key responsibilities, as they develop the skills, and qualifications required to help the candidates grow both personally and professionally.
Lasted for two consecutive months, the intensive summer program has offered its fifty participants a comprehensive theoretical and practical approach to comprehend a number of major themes in the fields of Archeology, Museology, Conservation/Restoration, and Scientific Research, including, but not limited to; DNA research, radiocarbon dating, the study of human remains and the methods of identifying them, documentation and digital registration, the methods of preserving, treating and maintaining manuscripts, papyruses, leathers and baskets, as well as the best methods of storing and displaying the museum’s objects. Moreover, the program offered its students an inter-disciplinary, comprehensive scope of comprehending the theoretical and practical aspects of Museology.

A live workshop on the Art of “Wicker and Palm Leaves Weaving”

As part of NMEC’s responsibility to preserve and promote the tangible and intangible cultural heritage of Egypt, a live workshop was organized on Saturday, October 9th, 2021 on one of Egypt’s rural and most authentic forms of craft; “Wicker and Palm Leaves Weaving”, an industry that flourished in Nuba among other Egyptian regions such as Bahariya Oasis, Sinai, Upper and Lower Egypt governorates, where artisans produce aesthetically appealing, environmentally-friendly products using inexpensive materials such as; dry palm fronds.
Through the live workshop, NMEC’s visitors were offered a unique opportunity to examine one of the various forms of Egypt’s tangible cultural heritage. For instance, the workshop insighted the audience on the art of weaving palm fronds, as they have had an exclusive opportunity to meet a number of talented artisans and discuss topics such as the origins of such craft, the materials used and the techniques hired to manufacture wicker-related products.
Evidently, wicker and palm leaves weaving craft is common among local Egyptians, mainly women at the above mentioned regions, where they employ the environmental components around them such as palm fronds, to manufacture simple items that assist them in their daily lives, such as wicker baskets, mats, hats, among many others that are still present and used till today.
Dr. Ahmed Ghoniem, Managing Executive Director of NMEC, highlighted that conducting such events is an essential component of NMEC’s mission to preserve and promote the tangible and intangible cultural heritage of Egypt. The event has witnessed a remarkable interaction among the museum’s national and international visitors, and it was concluded by presenting the participating artisans certificates of appreciation by NMEC’s Managing Executive Director; Dr. Ahmed Ghoniem.

Members of the Egyptian-Russian Youth Forum visit the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization

The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization continues to receive a number of international dignitaries, government officials and public figures from Egypt and the world since its grand opening in April this year. On Friday, NMEC received the Russian delegation participating in the Egyptian-Russian Youth Forum, which included 30 young participants, in cooperation with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, within the framework of Egyptian-Russian Year of Humanitarian Exchange 2021/2022.

NMEC as well received the Slovenian Ambassador in Cairo, His Excellency; Valér Franko, where they were welcomed by Dr. Ahmed Ghoneim, the Managing Executive Director of the NMEC. The notable officials have toured the museum’s spacious galleries such as the Core Exhibition Hall, and the Royal Mummies Hall to get acquainted with is distinguished artifacts and breathtaking archeological treasures. The delegations have had the chance to navigate the museum’s impressive facilities as well as its prime

NMEC received a delegation of high-level members of the Arab Parliamen

The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization received a delegation of high-level members of the Arab Parliament as part of their current visit to Egypt, where they were welcomed by Dr. Ahmed Ghoneim, Managing Executive Director of the NMEC.

Accompanied by curator Nesma Ahmed, the notable officials have toured the museum’s spacious galleries such as the Core Exhibition Hall, and the Royal Mummies Hall to get acquainted with is distinguished artifacts and breathtaking archeological treasures. The delegations have had the chance to navigate the museum’s impressive facilities as well as its prime location that centers Cairo’s old capital of Al-Fustat. At the end of their tour, our guests have expressed their sincere happiness with their overall experience at the NMEC, as they were keen on taking photographs at the museum to commemorate their trip.

A ٍٍSeminar event for author and photographer; Galal el Missary

The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization continues its series of cultural heritage events and outreach activities. For instance, NMEC hosted a seminar  event for author and photographer; Galal el Missary, on his recent publication “Al Bilad Al Gamila”. In his book, El Missary has successfully illustrated the splendor and beauty of Nubia, throughout a great number of photographs he himself has captured during his many visits to Nubia. El Missary’s collection of photographs have expressed the social, cultural, and aesthetical aspects of Nubia, in which they collectively represent the richness and beauty of Egypt’s cultural heritage. On the other hand, Dr. Maha Swailem, the NMEC’s Training Department’s supervisor has emphasized that NMEC’s management is keen on diversifying the museum’s offered activities in order to appeal to the museum’s diverse audience and their tendencies. Swailem has added that such event comes as a practical implementation of the NMEC’s role in enriching the visitors’ cultural perceptions.

Nesma Abd El Aziz performs NMEC’s Roman Theatre

The Roman Theater at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization hosted a musical event for the famous Marimba player Nesma Abdel Aziz, as part of the cultural and artistic programs offered at the museum. It is worth mentioning that cultural events are celebrated within a strict implementation of all health and safety protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The Marimba night was celebrated by almost 300 attendees, during which the marimba player Nesma Abdel Aziz played a group of the most famous traditional and contemporary compositions, such as “Scrooge and Me” by Omar Khairat, “Fi Youm We Leila” by Mohamed Abdel Wahab, Dalida’s famous “Helwa Ya Baladi” and “Sahar el Layali” by Elias Rahbani, among many others.
Dr. Ahmed Farouk Ghoneim, Managing Executive Director of NMEC, expressed his delightfulness with the concert’s great success and the audience’s positive interactions, which confirms the NMEC as a cultural and artistic venue of outstanding importance.
Dr. Ghoneim stressed on the significant role played by the National Bank of Egypt in supporting NMEC’s social, cultural and artistic activities, eventually contributing to the museum’s great success.

NMEC organized on Saturday, September 25th, 2021, a live workshop for the general public, in partnership with @القلم – Al Qalam School, on the Art of Arabic Calligraphy

The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization organized on Saturday, September 25th, 2021, a live workshop for the general public, in partnership with @القلم – Al Qalam School, on the Art of Arabic Calligraphy. The event has witnessed a remarkable interaction among the museum’s national and international visitors, especially the youth, who were keen to follow up on the live work and document it on social media. The workshop contributed to introducing the museum’s visitors to the Art of Arabic Calligraphy, and the techniques hired to master such skill. The workshop has offered a number of interactive activities that offer an educational and an entertaining experience on the art of Arabic calligraphy.

NMEC has received Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientificand Cultural Organization (ICESCO)

Earlier today, The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization has received Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientificand Cultural Organization (ICESCO), where he was accompanied by Dr. Ghada Abdel Bary, Secretary-General of the Egyptian National Committee for Education, Science and Culture, along with Mr. Sayed Abu Al-Fadl, the Supervisor of Archaeological Affairs at the NMEC. Together, the distinguished guests have toured the museum’s halls to get acquainted with is artifacts. Al Malik has expressed his delightfulness with the overall experience at the NMEC, highlighting his admiration towards the uniqueness of Egypt’s Civilization that is well-expressed through the museum’s rich collections.