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BY Dollita Okine, 11:10am February 03, 2025,

$1.2B Grand Egyptian Museum housing Egypt’s most precious relics will finally open on this date

by Dollita Okine, 11:10am February 03, 2025,
Photo credit: Grand Egyptian Museum

Egypt just announced the Grand Egyptian Museum’s (GEM) official opening date. Officially opening on July 3, 2025, the Grand Egyptian Museum spans an astonishing 500,000 square meters, twice the size of the Louvre Museum in Paris and 2.5 times the size of the British Museum, according to organizers.

The CEO of the Grand Egyptian Museum Authority, Dr. Ahmed Ghoneim, described it as a monumental endeavor devoted to ancient Egyptian civilization.

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“It has been 100 days since I took on this responsibility, and as the opening approaches, I feel a mix of pride and responsibility,” he said, according to TRT.

Ghoneim also hinted at celebrations lasting more than a single day, possibly many days or even weeks, with international components being considered.

“We are currently preparing multiple scenarios, and the festivities might last several days—perhaps three days, a week, or even several months. These ideas are being discussed at a high level by a committee formed by the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities and at an even higher level under the leadership of the Prime Minister,” Ghoneim added.

The Grand Egyptian Museum, situated on the Giza Plateau, is easily accessible from the recently opened Sphinx International Airport and the famous Pyramids.

UNESCO awarded the GEM the prestigious Prix Versailles award in 2024 for its architectural splendor, underscoring the international recognition the building has already received before its official inauguration.

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Ghoneim revealed that the overall cost of building the massive museum was $1.2 billion, with $750 million secured through loans and the rest supported by the Egyptian government.

The major reveal, according to organizers, will be wholly Egyptian, building on the popularity of previous events such as the Royal Mummies Parade in April 2021 and the inauguration of the Avenue of Sphinxes in Luxor in 2021.

Indeed, the GEM’s sheer size is incredible as its scale exceeds that of the Louvre and the British Museum, making it a genuinely massive institution.

Visitors will find an unmatched collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts inside, including King Tutankhamun’s entire treasure. Art enthusiasts in Africa and beyond are urged to get ready to see the “dawn of a new era in cultural preservation and display.”

Ancient Egypt has often been the main reference point when interpreting the past and experience of Africa.

Egyptian civilization has been identified as the cradle of all human civilization celebrated for its languages, governance structure and a long history of wealth, education and powerful Pharaohs.

These monarchs ruled over the land for several centuries, expanding the kingdom through trade and a strong military force.

READ ALSO:  Ghana’s iconic Kente cloth earns UNESCO recognition

Last Edited by:Mildred Europa Taylor Updated: February 3, 2025

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