On November 1, with a glittering official ceremony,

the largest museum in the world dedicated to a single civilization - the Great Egyptian Museum /GEM/ was inaugurated. Legends have been told about it for years. And here it is today - on the Giza Plateau, near the pyramids - ready, impressive, wise and modern. The magnificent spectacle of its opening was expected and followed by the whole world, including Sofia. It was not just a cultural event, it was a message to the whole world - the Egyptian civilization remains alive and radiant.

On the occasion of the official ceremony of the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum, H. E. Mr. Nader Saad, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the Republic of Bulgaria, and the New Bulgarian University /NBU/, organized a reception at the university.

The guests, a select number of representatives of cultural and academic circles, were welcomed at the "Prof. Bogdan Bogdanov" Library, where, first in Auditorium 1, H. E. Mr. Nader Saad and Prof. Sergey Ignatov, the famous historian-Egyptologist, founder of Egyptology in Bulgaria and lecturer at NBU, shared their vision of the importance of the museum.

E. Mr. Nader Saad spoke about the content of the GEM, the challenges of its construction and future functioning. He summarized that this is a heritage belonging to all of humanity.

Prof. Sergey Ignatov, in turn, spoke about his visits with a scientific mission to Egypt and about the old museum in Cairo, which was a dream for Egyptologists and archaeologists around the world. But the Great Egyptian Museum, to which its exhibits have been transferred, he defined as the Eighth Wonder of the World.

And it really seems to be a miracle. Some call it the "gateway to history". It houses over 100,000 artifacts (only half of which are on display to the public), on an area of ​​half a million square meters! This was also evident from the short promotional films projected on the video wall in the hall. They showed how the construction, which lasted over 20 years, took place, how the treasures that are currently on display in its halls were transported - including the previously unseen one from the tomb of the boy king Tutankhamun.

Started in 2002 and scheduled to open in 2012, the Grand Egyptian Museum has suffered repeated delays due to costs, political turmoil, the Covid-19 pandemic and regional conflicts. The megaproject cost the Egyptian state approximately $1.2 billion, but the museum is expected to quickly bring in revenue and become a powerful engine for the development of tourism in Egypt. According to forecasts, it will have up to 7 million visitors per year, and its daily capacity will be about 20,000 people.

Grandiose construction, grandiose museum - grandiose opening!

After the official part in Auditorium 1, the guests were invited to Auditorium 2, where the reception took place. At it, the kind hosts surprised everyone with authentic dishes from the Egyptian national cuisine. While tasting them, the guests lively discussed the long-awaited event.

A little later, through a direct connection with Egypt, the ceremony of the official opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum was followed.

The parade was solemn and majestic. The spectacle - unforgettable and magnificent! Not only over 250 famous artists from 79 countries participated in it. The entire Egyptian people participated in it - with their traditions, with their spirit, with their aspiration for the future. A historical moment that built an indestructible bridge between the past and the future. Between the ancient Egyptian civilization, which saw 30 dynasties come and go over 5,000 years of history, and the new, thriving and digital Egypt of the future.

The spectacle - an extravaganza of lights, images, colors and sounds, was enjoyed on site, from the stands, by delegations from 79 countries. The President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, as host, welcomed the presidents of 18 countries, monarchs, princes and royal representatives of 12 countries and many other officials for the event. The Bulgarian President Rumen Radev and his wife were also welcomed.

And after so much beauty, all of us at the "Prof. Bogdan Bogdanov" Library of NBU, wished we had the happiness of visiting the Grand Egyptian Museum one day. With the breathtaking Great Hall, the majestic Grand Staircase, the inspiring 12 main galleries, the Khufu Boat Museum, the world's only hanging obelisk, the granite colossus of Ramses the Great, the shopping area and the outdoor gardens offering an unparalleled journey through the ancient heritage and modern design of Egypt and what more...

Photos: Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt and Diplomatic spectrum.

Above: H. E. Mr. Nader Saad, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the Republic of Bulgaria. Below: Moments from the reception