Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
The world’s eyes turned to Egypt last Saturday as the country unveiled its newest cultural landmark, the Great Egyptian Museum (GEM), in a dazzling opening ceremony that drew unprecedented global attention. According to Dr. Diaa Rashwan, head of Egypt’s State Information Service, an estimated one billion viewers around the world watched the live broadcast of the event, underscoring the immense international interest in Egypt’s ancient heritage and modern cultural achievements.
Speaking in a phone interview with TV host Azza Mostafa on the program “The 6 O’Clock Hour” on Al-Hayat channel, Dr. Rashwan emphasized that the opening represented “the largest cultural event in the world.” He explained that the museum is not only the largest of its kind dedicated to a single civilization, the ancient Egyptian civilization, but also a historic milestone in global heritage preservation.
Rashwan noted that the Egyptian State Information Service had closely monitored international media coverage, foreign correspondents, and local journalists whose work reaches global audiences. “This is part of our core mission and our historic duty,” he said, praising the collective effort of the agency’s staff for ensuring accurate and wide-reaching representation of the event worldwide.
Reports from major international newspapers and television networks highlighted the scale and significance of the inauguration, describing it as a moment of national pride for Egypt and a celebration of humanity’s shared history. The ceremony, attended by a record number of official delegations and high-ranking guests, showcased the grandeur of the museum’s architecture and its state-of-the-art design, which merges modernity with the spirit of ancient Egypt.
“The sheer magnitude of the opening the vast space of the museum, the distinguished attendance, and the cultural symbolism was reflected in the exceptional international and regional media coverage,” Rashwan said. Global broadcasters aired extensive segments on the event, praising Egypt’s efforts to safeguard its antiquities and promote cultural tourism.
The Great Egyptian Museum, located near the Giza Pyramids, is set to house more than 100,000 artifacts, including the complete collection of King Tutankhamun’s treasures, displayed for the first time together. Beyond its role as a museum, it is envisioned as a global hub for archaeology, research, and education—reaffirming Egypt’s central place in the story of human civilization.
