“Memory of Peru” exhibition inaugurated at Cairo Opera House

CAIRO -20 September 2017: Egyptologist and former Minister of State for Antiquities Affairs, Zahi Hawass, and the Ambassador of Peru in Cairo Hugo Portugal Cabajal inaugurated a photographic exhibition entitled “Memory of Peru, Photographs 1890 – 1950” featuring historic photos of Peru at the music library in the Cairo Opera House on Tuesday.

The exhibition, which runs until September 25, contains 79 photographs highlighting the life in Peru between 1890 and 1950, to further promote cultural values between Egypt and Peru and enhance people’s understanding of Peruvian history and culture.



Peru’s black and white Photography works – By Egypt Today Staff

The photos are in black and white, demonstrating the multi-color social groups and local life in Peru in the late 19th century and early 20th century, including landscapes, national traditions, daily life, labor and other scenes.



Peru’s black and white Photography works – By Egypt Today Staff


After saluting the flags of both countries, Hawass has praised the exhibition saying that “photographs are a very important part in our life.”

Hawass spoke about his good relations with Peru which began when he was secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities and helped Peru in securing the return of more than 4,000 beautiful artifacts from Yale University in the United States.




Zahi Hawass speaking in the opening ceremony of the exhibition – by Egypt Today Staff


In addition, he has invited a delegation from Peru to the conference that he organized about restoring the stolen artifacts.

He added that he decided to hold a second conference on protecting and repatriating cultural heritage items in Lima, capital of Peru, in 2011 where President Alan Garcia has honored Hawass.



Dr. Zahi Hawass has given the ambassador of Peru a version of his famous hat – By Egypt Today Staff


At the end of his speech, Hawass has given the ambassador of Peru a version of his famous hat after he had advised the attendees to visit Peru that has many beautiful historic places.



Perus’ Ambassador Hugo Portugal Cabajal gave speech – By Egypt Today Staff


Cabajal has hailed Hawass’s role in spreading culture and preserving antiquities around the world and gave him a picture in which President Gracia honors Hawass by giving him Peru's highest decoration, "Order of the Sun Award."



Peru’s Ambassador Hugo Portugal Cabajal gave him a picture in which the President Gracia honors Hawass – By Egypt Today Staff


On the sidelines of the exhibition, a documentary film was screened about Hawass’s efforts in discovering many historic places.

Twenty countries were represented at the two-day conference in Cairo organised by Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) and Hawass in 2010. This conference aimed to call on Western museums to give back many antiquities to their countries.

Representatives include cultural officials from Greece, Italy, China and Peru, all of which have lost ancient artifacts over the centuries which that they now want back.