celebrating Eid al-Fitr, the Grand Egyptian Museum, in collaboration with the “Tawasul” Association, hosted a traditional heritage performance titled “The Hathor Procession.” This event was designed to connect the public with Egypt’s rich history and cultural legacy, offering a unique blend of music and acrobatics inspired by ancient Egyptian traditions.
Tourism and Antiquities Minister, Mr. Sherif Fathi, praised the museum’s commitment to organizing a diverse range of cultural and artistic activities that engage citizens across various age groups. These initiatives play a vital role in enhancing public awareness of Egypt’s ancient heritage and the significance of preserving its historical monuments.
Dr. Ahmed Ghoneim, CEO of the Grand Egyptian Museum Authority, highlighted that the event is part of the museum’s broader strategy to promote cultural awareness and collaboration with relevant institutions. This effort aims to enhance the museum’s role as a scientific, cultural, and community institution.
The “Hathor Procession” featured traditional musical instruments and acrobatic performances, with over 80 students from the Tawasul School participating in the festivities. The performance drew a large crowd of visitors who expressed their delight and enjoyment, with many taking the opportunity to capture photos with the performers in their heritage-inspired costumes.
Increased Visitor Traffic Across Egypt’s Heritage Sites
The Eid al-Fitr holiday also saw a significant surge in visitors to Egypt’s museums and archaeological sites, reflecting the growing interest in cultural tourism. Approximately 175,000 domestic and international visitors attended Egypt’s historical sites during the first two days of Eid.
Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, noted that the rising number of visitors underscores the increasing appeal of Egypt’s cultural tourism product. It also highlights the Egyptian public’s enthusiasm for exploring their country’s ancient heritage during the holiday period.
In line with the directives of Minister Sherif Fathi, the Supreme Council of Antiquities continues to enhance the quality of services provided at museums and heritage sites, ensuring the preservation of these cultural treasures while offering visitors an exceptional tourism experience.
Dr. Mohamed Shaaban, Assistant Minister for Digital Services, mentioned that, according to the new ticketing system for archaeological sites and museums, the top six visited sites during the first two days of Eid were the Giza Pyramids, Karnak Temples, Valley of the Kings, the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir, and the Citadel of Saladin. The Giza Pyramids alone attracted 31,701 visitors, while Karnak Temples saw 15,512, the Valley of the Kings 15,092, and the Hatshepsut Temple in Luxor 12,656. The Egyptian Museum in Tahrir welcomed 12,869 visitors, and the Citadel of Saladin received over 7,000.
Additionally, the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Fustat welcomed 5,000 visitors, and the Grand Egyptian Museum saw approximately 10,000 visitors.
To manage the influx of visitors, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, through the Supreme Council of Antiquities, set up a central operations room to ensure smooth operations and monitor visitor numbers at museums and heritage sites nationwide during the Eid holiday.
