Egypt officially opened the Grand Egyptian Museum near the Giza Pyramids, unveiling what authorities describe as the world’s largest archaeological complex dedicated to a single civilization.
President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi led the inauguration ceremony, which was attended by delegations from 79 countries, including 39 led by kings, princes, and heads of state and government.
In his remarks, President Sisi said the opening represents the result of extensive international cooperation with a number of global companies and institutions. “We must not forget the great support provided by the friendly nation of Japan for this monumental cultural project,” he said.
According to the Egyptian News Agency, kings, presidents, and princes were given miniature models of the Grand Egyptian Museum to place by hand as a symbol of their countries’ participation in the project.
The launch event featured musical performances held in one of the museum’s courtyards, with the three pyramids visible in the background. Performers appeared in pharaonic-inspired attire in a procession-style performance that included actors Ahmed Malek, Ahmed Helmy, Sherif Mounir, Salma Abu Deif, and others, with a special appearance by legendary actress Sherihan.
The idea of the Grand Egyptian Museum originated in the 1990s under then–Culture Minister Farouk Hosni, who proposed an open museum encompassing the pyramids, the Sphinx, and nearby temples.
The project cost approximately $1 billion, financed through two Japanese loans totalling $800 million, along with Egyptian government funding, donations, and partnerships.
The museum’s entrance hall features a colossal statue of Ramses II. In total, the complex houses more than 57,000 artifacts chronicling Egypt’s history. The Grand Staircase spans 6,000 square meters and connects the museum’s main galleries.
The Grand Egyptian Museum includes 12 permanent galleries, temporary exhibition halls, and the full Tutankhamun collection, with more than 5,000 objects displayed together for the first time since the tomb’s discovery in 1922. Additional sections include a children’s museum, the artifacts of Queen Hetepheres (mother of King Khufu), the Khufu boat museum, and displays covering Egypt’s Greek and Roman periods.
Authorities expect the museum to attract more than five million visitors annually, positioning it as a major global cultural destination and one of the most significant archaeological institutions in the world.