Ramses II statue reaches final destination, Grand Egyptian Museum

Rana Atef

Thu, 25 Jan 2018 - 12:13 GMT

Rana Atef

Thu, 25 Jan 2018 - 12:13 GMT

Transfer process of King Ramses II statue from Remaya Sq to GEM on Jan. 25, 2018 - Egypt Today/By Hassan Mohamed

CAIRO - 25 January 2018: Statue of the great King Ramses II was successfully transferred to its final location at the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) early Thursday, in festive ceremony attended by Minister of Antiquities Khaled Anani, Minister of Culture Inas Abdel Dayem, scientists and Egyptologists.

Transfer process of King Ramses II statue from Rimaya Sq to GEM on Jan. 25, 2018 - Egypt Today/By Hassan Mohamed
In a press conference held at the GEM and covered by the international media, Anani stated that the statue is now erected at the great hall of GEM. It will be the first statue that tourists will see once they step into the grand museum.

Transfer process of King Ramses II statue from Rimaya Sq to GEM on Jan. 25, 2018 - Egypt Today/By Hassan Mohamed
During his speech, the minister praised the efforts exerted by various Egyptian institutions and ministries, as well as the Egyptian-Japanese technical and financial cooperation for their hard, accurate work that contributed to the statue’s successful transfer.

Transfer process of King Ramses II statue from Rimaya Sq to GEM on Jan. 25, 2018 - Egypt Today/By Hassan Mohamed
On the melodies of Egypt’s national anthem and the historical pharaonic opera Aida , the 12-meter high and 83-ton statue was located at the GEM. The great king’s statue is considered a cultural and artistic symbol to all Egyptians, and a national treasure that has been honored by making a royal appearance at one of the largest museums in the world.

The band that played national anthem during transfer process
The Ministry of Antiquities will start a new giant project under of the title "Developing the Pyramids zone, and linking GEM to the Pyramids Zone," Anani stated.

"Egypt managed to gather three of world's most precious treasures at one place," Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, Mostafa Waziri told On Live channel during a phone interview, referring to the GEM. "King Ramses II Statue, Tutankhamun's treasures, and The Pyramids," Waziri continued.

The Grand Egyptian Museum will be partially inaugurated by the end of 2018, according to the antiquities ministry.

Egyptologist, author, and former Minister of Antiquities Zahi Hawas told ON Live Channel that King Ramses II statue’s transfer is one of the greatest events in the century besides the GEM opening.

Hawas also praised the great king saying: "He is king of the kings, he is standing in front of the statues of 83 other kings as if he is leading them; moreover, King Rmases II is the most celebrated king in the history of ancient Egypt."

Egyptologist, author, and former Minister of Antiquities Zahi Hawas during the press conference of the transfer process
Statue of King Ramses II was discovered in the year of 1820 by Italian Egyptologist Giovanni Battista Caviglia at the Great Temple of Ptah near Memphis in six broken pieces. It was relocated for the first time from its original place to Bab El Hadid square, dubbed as Ramses Square then, in 1955 after early restoration processes.

The second transfer process was carried out in 2006, and the statue was relocated in Al Remaya Square, nearby the GEM.

The final transfer took place on January 25, 2018, after relocating the statue in its final place at the GEM.

The GEM is the biggest and greatest museum in the world, which is dedicated to the ancient Egyptian historical period, displaying 42.755 artifacts, Tutuankhamun treasures, King Menkaure statue, King Psamtik I head statue, King Senusert statue, King Khufu's historical inscriptions alongside King Ramses II statue.

The GEM will also include different international restoration centers.

During the transfer ceremonies, Anani told MENA that 76% of construction works of the GEM have been completed. He added that 60% of the interior building has been finished, 56% of the outdoor flooring and 50% of electro-mechanical system works have been installed.