General Director of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), Atef Moftah, has met with Japan’s new Ambassador Designate to Egypt, Oka Hiroshi, and Chief Representative of JICA Egypt Office Omura Yoshifumi.
Japanese officials hailed the progress in GEM construction and agreed to continue the bilateral cooperation on different aspects towards the Museum’s opening.
During the meeting, Atef reviewed the unique features of GEM, including the “Hanging Obelisk of King Ramses II” that was displayed at the main entrance. It will be the first of its kind in the world being raised on four pillars to enable the visitors to see the base of the obelisk.
Atef said that the Hanging Obelisk gave visitors the chance to watch the name of ancient Egypt king Ramses II engraved on the base of the obelisk, which is usually buried in the ground. It’s also an outstanding engineering achievement, given its height of 16 metres and weight of 110 tonnes of granite.
The Embassy and JICA praised the efforts of Atef and all GEM leadership for the successful completion of the iconic complex of GEM.
GEM, which has been built on a total area of 117 feddan in Giza, is the largest museum in the world dedicated to one civilisation, and its opening is eagerly awaited. The museum will display over 5,000 artefacts from the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun, which will be displayed together for the first time since their discovery.
