June 30 Revolution positively impacts Archaeological projects in Egypt

CAIRO – 30 June 2022: Today, the Egyptian people celebrate the 9th anniversary of the glorious June 30 revolution, after the Egyptians succeeded in removing the Muslim Brotherhood from power and from the whole political scene.

 

 

 

 

Removing the morbid terrorist group from the political scene allowed the country to continue its path towards success and progress that almost completely stopped following the events of 2011.

 

 

 

After the June 30 revolution, planning began for Egypt to be in the first ranks globally. Development and restoration of all the archaeological sites and museums were launched, besides the opening of a large number of archaeological sites that have been closed for decades. This became possible when the state allocated huge sums of money due to its leadership’s keenness on preserving the ancient Egyptian heritage and civilization.

 

 

 

In an earlier interview with Minister of Tourism & Antiquities Khaled el-Anani on the June 30 revolution, he said that the antiquities file are presented to the president directly, and that he closely follows up on the archaeological projects.

 

 

 

“When I talk to him [President Sisi] about the various files of the Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities, I discover that he [The President] is more aware of the cases and its details than myself,” said Anani, reflecting the great interest the state’s leadership in the Egyptian heritage.
 

 

 

 

 

Grand Egyptian Museum

 

 

 

The Grand Egyptian Museum is the largest museum in the world. It houses a huge number of artifacts totaling up to 50,000 pieces. The museum will exhibit the personal belongings of the Golden King Tutankhamun for the first time ever.

 

 

 

 

The cornerstone of the project was laid in February 2002. Its construction started in May 2005, but was moving with a very slow pace, until the political turmoil that occurred in 2011 brought the construction work to a stand-still.

 

 

 

With the Muslim Brotherhood assuming power in Egypt, the project was not re-executed. After the June 30 revolution, President Abdel Fatah el-Sisi instructed to complete the project in a timely manner.

 

 

 

Indeed, all construction work has been completed, a large number of artifacts have arrived at the museum and have been restored using the highest scientific methods.

 

 

 

In previous press statements, Khaled el-Anani stated that the president's directions are clear to the government; funding the Grand Egyptian Museum project will not stop. Not only because it is an important museum, but also because it creates many job opportunities, develops the area and attracts tourism.

 

 

 

Giza Plateau

 

 

 

This project started in January 2009. The works were expected to be executed during a 3-year time program ending in 2012 but somehow the implementation stalled.

 

 

 

 

Fortunately, June 30 revolution came to place the project within the strategy of preserving the archaeological heritage and natural heritage of the plateau and raising the quality of the visitor's experience.

 

 

 

The project was placed among the prioritized national projects due to its importance for tourism and economy, and because it represents the unique value of Egyptian heritage and his

 

 

 

 

Djoser Pyramid Restoration Project

 

 

Like the Giza Plateau project, it started in January 2009 and was set to be executed during a 3-year time program ending in 2012 but somehow the implementation stalled.

 

 

 

The June 30 revolution comes and the project resumes. The Djoser Pyramid was opened in 2020.

 

 

 

The Step Pyramid of Djoser is the first pyramid and the first stone building in the world. The pyramid is located in the Saqqara Archaeological Area. It is one of the most important monuments of Saqqara necropolis, west of the ancient city of Memphis in Egypt.

 

 

 

 

The Djoser Pyramid was built by Amenhotep in the 27th century BC as Djoser's burial place.

 

 

 

Egyptian Museum in Tahrir

 

 

Currently, the museum is being developed in cooperation with the European Union.

 

 

 

 

The World Heritage Committee of UNESCO has recently included the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir on the preliminary list of World Heritage Sites. The museum’s development work continues on a regular basis, and all development work is progressing simultaneously. Paved corridors have also been designated for individuals with special needs, for their ease of movement inside the museum.

 

 

 

 

Development Project of Historic Cairo:

 

The historic city of Cairo is one of the most important and largest heritage cities in the world, as it is a lively city characterized by the richness of its urban fabric, in addition to the multiplicity of monuments and historical buildings, which reflects the long history of Cairo as a dominant political, cultural, commercial and religious capital in the Middle East and the Mediterranean Basin.

 

 

 

 

President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi assigned the government to develop Historic Cairo, and to evacuate the governorate from ministries and government administrative headquarters, which would allow Cairo to return to its historical, cultural, tourist and archaeological role.

 

 

 

 

Historic Cairo includes several sites that represent a unique form of human settlements that blends religious and residential uses of the place.

 

 

 

 

Development of Mit Rahina Area:

 

 

After the June 30 revolution, the Egyptian state worked to develop the Mit Rahina area. The development project included defining the paths for visiting the temples area in Mit Rahina, setting up a tourist market to sell souvenirs, and the establishment of a visitor center that narrates the history of this ancient region, at a cost of L.E26 million. It was officially opened in 2017. This area represents the capital of ancient Egypt at the dawn of the Egyptian civilization.

 

 

 

 

Baron Empain Palace:

 

 

Baron Palace, an architectural masterpiece in Heliopolis, was completely neglected before the June 30 revolution. The state was keen to start restoring it in 2017.

 

 

 

 

President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi officially opened the Baron Empain Palace in Heliopolis, after the completion of its first comprehensive restoration and development process in 2020.

 

 

 

 

Al-Kebbash Road:

 

 

The revival of the Pharaonic Rams Road is the focus of the state's attention after President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi took over the rule of Egypt, given that it is one of the most important national projects in the archaeological and tourism field, in the heart of Luxor.

 

 

 

 

Cairo Citadel Aqueduct:

 

 

The Egyptian state continues the restoration work of the area on an ongoing basis to complete and re-open it as soon as possible. This is within the framework of the ministry’s project to restore the historical wall and the surrounding area, which has turned into an important tourist attraction and will soon become one of the most important tourist and recreational places in Cairo.

 

 

 

 

Shagret Mariem (Virgin Mary Holy Tree):

 

 

The Egyptian state, represented by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, has ended a large percentage of the maintenance project, which takes place inside the ancient Virgin Mary Holy Tree, which is one of the points of the Holy Family’s journey in Egypt.

 

 

 

The site’s efficiency was raised, and some of the tree-bearing supports were completed through the Institute of Archaeological Crafts, and headlights were placed and a wooden fence was installed around the ancient tree to protect it permanently.