“We’re different, we’re unique, we’re special, and I bet you, if you come and you don’t like it, I, as the head of this authority, will give you your money back!” exclaims Dr. Ahmed Ghoneim, Head of the Authority of the National Museum for Egyptian Civilization (NMEC), when asked about the newly-inaugurated museum in Al Fustat, Cairo. When the NMEC was inaugurated with the arrival of the royal mummies in the Golden Parade held in April 2021, it became apparent that it was more than just another museum in Egypt. Starting with the predynastic period into the pharaonic, followed by the Graeco-Roman, Coptic, and Islamic periods, up until modern day Egypt, the museum encompasses the array of different time spans and ‘civilizations’ that contributed to Egypt’s rich history. In addition to a tour of the Main Hall and the Royal Mummies Hall, Egyptian Streets sat for an interview with Dr. Ghoneim to discuss what makes the museum special, COVID-19’s impact on it, the artifacts on display, and much more. What makes the NMEC special compared to the many other museums in Egypt? There are four aspects that make the NMEC…
What Makes the New National Museum of Egyptian Civilization Special: Exclusive Interview
August 22, 2021
