The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), a home to antiquities and Tutankhamun near the Giza pyramids that has been under construction for more than two decades, opened in Egypt on Saturday.
The inauguration, which featured images of pharaohs, a drone light show and fireworks, was led by President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who was joined by a host of international leaders and cultural figures. This marks an ambitious chapter in Egypt’s efforts to renew its tourist appeal and cultural status.
Located about two kilometers (1.2 miles) from the legendary Pyramids of Giza, the museum covers a vast area and is described as the world’s largest facility dedicated to a single civilization.
Among the 100,000 treasures on display are the entire collection of artifacts from Tutankhamun’s tomb and a colossal statue of Ramses II, which has been moved to the museum’s Great Hall.
Tourist numbers have fallen during recent disruptions, and officials hope the presence of GEM will help boost annual visitor numbers to 30 million by 2030.
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