CNN International has launched a promotional documentary on Egypt’s Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), entitled “Inside the Grand Egyptian Museum”, which is scheduled for broadcast throughout this week.
The satellite television network’s documentary was filmed and produced in partnership with Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, represented by the Egyptian Tourism Promotion Authority. It was created to promote Egyptian tourism through CNN’s television station, digital media, and social media platforms that have an extensive reach in Latin America, Europe, and Asia.
The documentary comes in light of a contract concluded with the tourism authority to promote the country as a tourism destination. It will also highlight Egypt’s diversity of internal destinations and tourism-related activities and its various cultural and archaeological attractions.
Ahmed Youssef, Chairperson of the Egyptian Tourism Promotion Board, said the documentary reviewed the GEM’s features. It started with an introduction explaining the museum’s distinguished location overlooking the historic Giza pyramids, one of the most famous symbols representing Egypt. The documentary goes on to describe the GEM as a great edifice that will attract a huge number of visitors when it opens.
“The video also showcased several live shots that highlight the workflow in the museum in light of the precautionary measures and health safety measures that are being followed, and the latest developments in the museum’s work in preparation for its opening in 2021,” Youssef said.
“This is in addition to shots of the exhibition halls, the great staircase and the lobby where [a statue of] King Ramses II stands receiving visitors.”
The documentary features dialogue with the General Supervisor of the museum and its surrounding area, Atef Moftah, and Director General of Antiquities Affairs at the Grand Egyptian Museum Tayeb Abbas. Also interviewed is the renowned Egyptian archaeologist Zahi Hawass, who has championed the return of many Ancient Egyptian artefacts to their country of origin.
Clips of some of the treasures belonging to the boy Pharaoh, King Tutankhamun, are featured in the documentary. The artefacts are currently still in residence at the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square, although they are scheduled to be transferred to the GEM before its opening.
The documentary is scheduled to be extensively broadcast throughout the upcoming week at various times on CNN.
