CAIRO: Minister of State for Antiquities Affairs Mohamed Ibrahim announced Friday the beginning of the first comprehensive renovation of the Egyptian Museum since its construction in 1902.
He made his announcement during the celebration of the 111th anniversary of the museum’s establishment, organized by the Ministry of Antiquities and the Cairo governorate and hosted by Governor Galal el-Said in Egyptian Museum’s garden at Tahrir Square.
The renovation process takes place in cooperation with Germany and includes developing the presentation, lighting system and paints of the museum.
The celebration was attended by current and former ministers, including Deputy Prime Minister Ziad Bahaa el-Din, Minister of Industry Mounir Fakhry Abdel Nour and Minister of Local Development Adel Labib.
Many foreign ambassadors attended the celebration as well: the German Ambassador to Cairo, the spokesperson for the French embassy and Prince Abbas Helmy, grandson of the Khedive Abbas Hilmi II.
Said said that the renovation process includes the entire Tahrir Square and the surrounding area. He added that “the process doesn’t intend to construct more buildings but focuses on creating an environment supporting investment and tourism.”
“The construction of a multi-storey garage underground in front of the museum with a capacity of 1800 cars and tourist buses is about to end, in addition to the completion of the renovation of a hotel at Tahrir Square,” the governor added.
He also mentioned the planned establishment of the largest Pharaonic garden in the world at Tahrir Square in front of the museum.
