The "Treasures of the Pharaohs" exhibition hosted by the de Young Museum in San Francisco, United States, opens to visitors from today, after it was officially opened the evening before last by Egypt's Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy and San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie. The exhibition runs until 31 January 2027.
The opening ceremony was attended by Eleni Kounalakis, Lieutenant Governor of California; Egyptian archaeologist Dr. Zahi Hawass; Ambassador Hossam Aly, Egypt's Consul in Los Angeles; Dr. Hisham El Leithy, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities; and Dr. Tarek El Awady, the exhibition's curator, along with a number of political and public figures in San Francisco, the museum team, representatives of the two Italian companies organizing the exhibition, museum directors, tour operators and representatives of American travel companies.
In his speech at the opening ceremony, Sherif Fathy said "Treasures of the Pharaohs" is the third collaboration between the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, adding that this partnership has helped bring exceptional Egyptian antiquities to audiences across the United States.
He explained that each artifact in the exhibition is a masterpiece in its own right, carefully selected so that together they tell the story of ancient Egyptian civilization and the progress and artistic and cultural creativity it achieved.
The minister invited attendees to reflect on the details of the artifacts and the exceptional skill of the ancient Egyptian artist, who with the simple tools of his time was able to create timeless works, embodying a unique ability to transform stone and metals into masterpieces that defy time.
Fathy expressed confidence that the exhibition will win visitors' admiration and inspire them to visit Egypt and discover its diverse tourism, archaeological and cultural assets, following the great success the exhibition achieved at its first stop in Rome.
He stressed that temporary archaeological exhibitions are ambassadors for Egypt, its civilization and culture, crossing seas and borders carrying not only priceless archaeological treasures but also civilizational messages and human stories that reflect the greatness of ancient Egyptian civilization and continue to inspire the world.
For his part, Dr. Hisham El Leithy said the opening of "Treasures of the Pharaohs" at the de Young Museum is more than the opening of an archaeological exhibition; it brings the spirit of ancient Egypt to California and is an invitation to embark on a journey spanning more than three thousand years of history.
He added that when Egypt shares its heritage with the world, it is not merely lending artifacts but opening horizons for dialogue between civilizations, noting that the story of the Nile and its civilization has inspired humanity for thousands of years.
He described the opening as a message affirming the values of cultural diplomacy, mutual respect and the human bonds that unite peoples and civilizations, expressing his hope that these treasures will be a source of inspiration and a reminder that creativity, ambition and the pursuit of knowledge are shared human values that transcend time and place.
In his speech, the Mayor of San Francisco thanked Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy for attending and taking part in the opening, and expressed his appreciation to all the entities and institutions in Egypt and the United States that cooperated to make this cultural event happen, praising the efforts of the de Young Museum team and the organizing company. He also congratulated the Egyptian people on the outstanding performance of Egypt's national football team at the World Cup.
He noted that the exhibition features 130 exceptional artifacts that have traveled across thousands of years to reach San Francisco, carrying with them the stories of one of the greatest and most influential civilizations in human history.
He expressed his delight that San Francisco is the first city in the United States to host the treasures of the Golden City in Luxor, giving the city's residents and visitors an exceptional opportunity to see the greatness of ancient Egyptian civilization up close.
After the opening ceremony, attendees toured the exhibition halls, viewing the artifacts on display and their historical, artistic and cultural value.
