Nestled at the heart of the historic Fustat in Old Cairo district, the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) is the only Egyptian museum devoted to the nation’s civilization across the ages.
When first drafted as a project, the NMEC was expected to become one of the largest and most important museums in the whole world. However, delays in the timeline kept the blueprint from ever seeing the light. Fortunately, the current administration realized the cultural significance of such an institute and quickly put in the work.
In 2017, the public got its first chance to visit the museum as part of the partial opening plan, in which a temporary exhibition entitled “Egyptian crafts and industries through the ages” showcased 420 artifacts from a myriad of museums documenting the development of authentic Egyptian crafts such as carpenting, weaving, pottery, and jewelry, in addition to the cultural implications that come with such development. Needless to say, the exhibition was extremely popular.
As yesterday’s Golden Parade unravelled, the world witnessed 18 kings and 4 queens of ancient Egypt making their way to their final resting place. From the Egyptian Museum in Downtown Cairo to the newly-initiated National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, 22 specially-crafted, regalia-ornate parade cars took the Nile Corniche Road to Magra Al Oyoun Promenade to deliver the royal host to its new eternal home in Fustat. With such a grand opening ceremony, the NMEC opened its doors to museum-goers all over the world.
Within the walls of this museum, guests can find up to 50,000 artifacts that relate to the stages of development of the Egyptian civilization from early times to the modern era.
The NMEC holdings will be displayed in a permanent exhibition hall in addition to six other exhibitions showcasing artifacts relevant to the following topics: the Nile, civilization, writing, state and society, culture, as well as beliefs and ideas. Furthermore, an exclusive exhibition hall will include the royal mummies transferred from the Egyptian Museum as well as one dedicated to the development of the modern city of Cairo. Several spaces will be allotted to temporary exhibitions too.
Egyptians are a proud people; they understand the implications of their fortunate positions as the only inheritors to one of history’s greatest civilization. A great responsibility comes with such colossal heritage. Luckily, each consecutive generation does its best to honor the 6,000-year-old promise. After yesterday’s events, it’s fair to state that this generation did not only keep its promise, but inked a new chapter in history as well.