Credited from: REUTERS
The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) officially opened on November 1, 2025, marking the culmination of a two-decade construction effort. Located near the Pyramids of Giza, it is now recognized as the world's largest archaeological complex dedicated to a single civilization, showcasing Egypt's rich history. The inauguration ceremony was attended by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, foreign dignitaries, and various royals from nearly 80 countries, celebrated with a spectacular light and music show that featured dancers in pharaonic attire and a drone display of ancient gods and pyramids in the sky, according to Reuters, aa, ABC News, and Africanews.
Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly described the museum as a "unique global edifice" that serves as a "gift from Egypt to humanity." The project originally began in 2002 under former President Hosni Mubarak, but various political and economic challenges delayed its completion. President al-Sisi emphasized the museum's importance in "writing a new chapter in the story of this ancient nation's present and future," which aligns with the Egyptian government's vision of bolstering the tourism industry, crucial for its economy, according to aa and ABC News.
The museum houses around 57,000 artifacts, including the complete treasures from King Tutankhamun's tomb—displayed together for the first time since their discovery in 1922. These treasures include the famous golden burial mask and the throne of the "Boy King." The GEM also encompasses a children's museum and the region's largest conservation center, which signals Egypt's commitment to preserving its artistic heritage while innovating the visitor experience with modern display techniques and immersive storytelling, according to Reuters, ABC News, and Africanews.
With a construction cost of approximately $1 billion, the Grand Egyptian Museum aims to attract five million visitors annually. Strategically situated just two kilometers from the Giza Pyramids, it features an architectural design that represents Egyptian civilization's grandeur, intending to serve not only as a museum but also as a statement of cultural identity and soft power, according to Reuters, aa, and ABC News.