Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
On the occasion of the 123rd anniversary of its inauguration on November 15, 1902, the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir, Cairo, has been included on UNESCO’s Tentative List for World Heritage Sites. The nomination file was submitted by Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities in February 2021.
The museum was added to the list based on criteria IV and VI. According to an official statement, criterion IV highlights the museum’s architectural significance, as it was designed by French architect Marcel Dourgnon, winner of the 1895 competition, representing a pioneering model for museum design globally. Criterion VI emphasizes the museum’s importance as the first purpose-built museum in the Middle East and North Africa, laying the foundations of Egyptology with its extensive and historically significant collections.
The statement further noted: “As a global symbol of the evolution of Egyptian museums in the 20th century, the Egyptian Museum continues to inspire major collections in cities such as Turin, Paris, and Berlin.”
Dr. Dina Suleiman, an Egyptology and Near Eastern Antiquities specialist at the University of Modern Sciences and Arts, described the inclusion as “a strategic step reflecting growing international recognition of the museum’s value as a center preserving human memory since its establishment in 1902.” She added that the recognition under criteria IV and VI “reinforces its role as a cultural institution reflecting the development of human thought and Egypt’s millennia-old heritage.”
The Egyptian Museum, one of the largest museums in the world, is the first national museum in the Middle East. Its inception dates back to 1858 through the efforts of French Egyptologist Auguste Mariette, with the construction project approved by Khedive Ismail in 1863. The current building, located in northeast Tahrir Square, was officially inaugurated by Khedive Abbas Helmy II in 1902.
Renowned archaeologist Gaston Maspero supervised the scientific organization of the collection, while sculptor Ferdinand Fivrer created the two statues flanking the main entrance, symbolizing Upper and Lower Egypt.
Dr. Suleiman emphasized that the museum’s inclusion in the tentative list is not only international recognition but also “a call to strengthen national efforts in preserving its unique collections, reviving its research and scientific role, and integrating it into Egypt’s broader cultural tourism and heritage strategy.”
Since 2019, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has implemented a comprehensive development plan for the museum, aimed at sustainable growth, improving exhibition design, archiving, community engagement, digital services, and scientific research, particularly in preparation for transferring some artifacts to new museum sites.
This milestone sets the stage for the museum’s potential future inscription on the official UNESCO World Heritage List, further enhancing Cairo’s cultural standing and reinforcing Egypt’s position as the guardian of one of humanity’s greatest civilizations.
