The Gold of the Pharaohs: Massive Egyptian exhibition in Monaco

Monaco – 6 July 2018: “The Gold of the Pharaohs exhibition” kicked off in Monaco on Friday, showcasing 149 ancient masterpieces from the Egyptian Museum. The huge, unique event is hosted by The Grimaldi Forum in Monaco, between July 7 and September 9, under the auspices of Prince Albert II and the Egyptian government.

Still, this is not the first exhibition to be hosted by the Grimaldi Forum to showcase Egyptian Antiquities. According to Grimaldi Forum’s General Director, Sylvie Biancheri, a somewhat similar exhibition was hosted in Monaco ten years ago.


Prince Albert II with Minister of Antiquities Khaled Anany and the Minister of Tourism Rania Al-Mashat during the inauguration of The Gold of the Pharaohs exhibition, July 6 2018 - Egypt Today/Khaled Salah


Biancheri told Egypt Today on Friday that the “Queens of Egypt” exhibition, which was hosted ten years ago, was one of the most successful and well-received exhibitions organized by the Grimaldi Forum. “At the time, the government allowed moving several pieces of the ancient antiquities to be displayed inside the exhibition. I remember that it achieved huge success, something that encouraged us to seek repeating the experience once again this year,” Biancheri explained.

150 ancient Egyptian masterpieces in Grimaldi's Forum July 7

Monaco - 6 July 2018: Minister of Antiquities Khaled Anany held a press conference on Friday with Grimaldi Forum's director, and the Minister of Tourism Rania Al-Mashat, before the opening of "The Gold of the Pharaohs exhibition" in Monaco.

Biancheri pointed out that the government has fully supported the forum, but also highlighted the low profit level achieved by the exhibition due to low ticket pricing and high cost. The exhibition cost the organisation some €2.5-2.7 million, while entry tickets cost only €8 each.

“It’s extremely important for Monaco to show it’s abilities of hosting and organizing such huge and significant international exhibitions,” Biancheri revealed, adding that Monaco’s display of the Egyptian antiquities is considered to be kind of publicity for the Egyptian civilization; it urges people to visit Egypt and discover it by themselves.


Prince Albert II with Minister of Antiquities Khaled Anany and the Minister of Tourism Rania Al-Mashat during the inauguration of The Gold of the Pharaohs exhibition, July 6 2018 - Egypt Today/Khaled Salah


“We need to change the stereotyped image of our country, which is known globally of being the center of entertainment. It’s true that we have casinos, where tourists can have fun, but we can also organize and host huge exhibitions like this one; we are also interested in cultural events, opera and ballet,” Biancheri revealed, assuring that Egypt is certainly a great partner in this regard.

Choosing the displayed 149 ancient pieces in particular came after much thought and discussion by Monaco’s government, according to Biancheri, who said that they needed to try something different and special for the exhibition this time.

“Focusing of the Egyptian ancient Jewelry and its historical development over 25 centuries was a brand new, interesting idea, which crossed our minds during preparing for this event; eventually we decided to highlight it.” Biancheri stated, affirming that the idea will achieve gains for both Egypt and Monaco.

The excessive usage of the dark blue color, as part of the displayed ancient pieces in the exhibition, was an idea that crossed the mine of William Chitran, one of Grimaldi Forum’s most prominent staff members, whilst preparing for this exhibition.

Interview: On the Ancient Egypt exhibition held in Monaco

MONACO, France - 6 July 2018: Egypt Today interviewed the General Manager of the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco Sylvie Biancheri, on Friday, about the ongoing Ancient Egyptian exhibition currently held there. The Grimaldi Forum is currently hosting an exhibition of Ancient Egyptian gold jewelry, reviewing their evolution over the centuries and their importance historically and culturally.

In statements to Egypt Today, Chitran revealed that in an attempt to come up with new ideas for the exhibition, he visited Egypt, looking for inspiration. “This color was excessively used by the ancient Egyptians in everything they used to create. I was pretty much keen on making all the exhibition’s visitors feel that they are inside a real ancient Egyptian tomb,” Chitran said.

At least 75,000 visitors are expected to hit the exhibition this year, according to Biancheri, who hopes that the exhibition will be a huge success, similar to the exhibition held ten years ago. “This exhibition is extremely exceptional and we believe that it deserves a massive triumph,” Biancheri said proudly.



Prince Albert II with Minister of Antiquities Khaled Anany and the Minister of Tourism Rania Al-Mashat during the inauguration of The Gold of the Pharaohs exhibition, July 6 2018 - Egypt Today/Khaled Salah

The Grimaldi Forum, in partnership with major cultural institutions, has been organizing and hosting successful exhibitions for 19 years.

Minister of Antiquities Khaled Anany held a press conference earlier on Friday with Grimaldi Forum’s director and the Minister of Tourism Rania Al-Mashat.

Anany told Egypt Today that the event is under the auspices of Prince Albert II, and that it is the second forum for Egyptian antiques to be held in Monaco. The first exhibition was held in 2009 and included 26 pieces under the title “Queens of Egypt.”



Prince Albert II with Minister of Antiquities Khaled Anany and the Minister of Tourism Rania Al-Mashat during the inauguration of The Gold of the Pharaohs exhibition, July 6 2018 - Egypt Today/Khaled Salah


“The Gold of the Pharaohs exhibition includes two pieces from the Collection of King Tutankhamen, other antiques, ornaments and jewelry from different collections. This exhibition will deliver a message that the Egyptian Museum will further impress its visitors,” he said.

Along with presenting 149 ancient masterpieces from the Egyptian Museum, the exhibition will also present a series of superb ensembles discovered in the royal and princely tombs of Pharaonic Egypt.




Additional reporting from Cairo by

Aya Samir