Sherif Fathy, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, held a meeting to discuss ways to develop the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir and strengthen its role as one of the world's most important museums and a symbol of the history of ancient Egyptian art, in support of the ministry's vision of preserving it and shining a spotlight on it so that it reflects the scent of the past and the spirit of the ancient Egyptian civilization.
The meeting was attended by a number of antiquities leaders and experts, including Dr. Zahi Hawass, archaeologist and former Minister of Antiquities; Dr. Mamdouh Eldamaty, former Minister of Antiquities; Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities; Dr. El-Tayeb Abbas, CEO of the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization; Dr. Ali Omar, head of the Supreme Committee for Museum Display; Dr. Hisham El-Leithy, head of the Antiquities Conservation and Registration Sector at the Supreme Council of Antiquities; Dr. Ahmed Hamida, head of the Museums Sector; and Dr. Ali Abdel Halim, director general of the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir.
During the meeting, Sherif Fathy stressed that the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir holds exceptional historical value that cannot be replicated, despite the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum. It also offers visitors a different and integrated experience through the rare masterpieces it houses that embody the ancient Egyptian civilization, he said, stressing that preserving and developing it are a top priority for the ministry in the coming phase, and that the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir is a venerable landmark that will continue to perform its vital role and will remain a cornerstone of Egypt's museum system.
The meeting discussed a wide range of ideas and proposals to develop the museum and improve services and the tourist experience inside it, in order to launch a new phase of development based on highlighting the museum's identity and reintroducing it to the world in a modern form befitting its history and status, along with developing a new visual identity that enhances its standing.
For his part, Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled said the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir will remain a main gateway to discovering the spirit of the ancient Egyptian civilization, and that its role or status will not be allowed to decline. He added that the museum has continued to fulfill its mission as a venerable cultural, educational and civilizational landmark since its opening in 1902, and that its unique collections form an essential reference for all students of Egyptology and lovers of Egyptian civilization around the world. He explained that the meeting sends a message confirming that the museum continues to develop itself to remain a major competitor to the largest modern museums.
The Minister of Tourism and Antiquities directed the preparation of an integrated strategic plan to develop the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir, including identifying its distinctive features, setting a phased development plan, incorporating all the ideas and proposals put forward, strengthening the museum's visual identity, and formulating clear marketing messages to be repeated across media campaigns, so as to ensure this venerable landmark is reintroduced to the world in a manner befitting its status and history.
