Egypt opens long-awaited Grand Egyptian Museum near pyramids in grand ceremony
Egypt on Saturday officially opened the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), a monumental $1 billion complex showcasing the country’s ancient treasures in what is being hailed as the world’s largest archaeological museum. Authorities hope the landmark will help revive the tourism sector and boost Egypt’s economy.
“Today, as we celebrate together the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum, we are writing a new chapter in history,” President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi declared during the inauguration ceremony attended by dignitaries, with the Giza Pyramids serving as a majestic backdrop.
Fireworks, laser displays, and performances by artists dressed in pharaonic costumes lit up the night sky, celebrating a project more than two decades in the making. Giant screens also broadcast festivities from cities such as Tokyo and Rio de Janeiro, linking Egypt’s ancient heritage with global celebration.
Built with major financial and technical assistance from Japan, the museum spans nearly 500,000 square meters and sits on a slope overlooking the Giza Plateau, within sight of the iconic pyramids. Inside, it houses about 100,000 artifacts, half of which are on display — representing over 6,000 years of Egyptian civilization.
At the museum’s heart stands an 83-ton statue of Ramses II, while state-of-the-art galleries feature interactive exhibits, precision lighting, and immersive storytelling. Visitors can also watch conservators at work through glass walls in the live restoration lab, where experts are assembling a 4,500-year-old solar boat believed to have carried Pharaoh Khufu’s spirit across the heavens.
A highlight of the museum is the full display of King Tutankhamun’s 5,000 artifacts, presented together for the first time, offering visitors a rare glimpse into the treasures of the boy king’s tomb.
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly described the GEM’s completion as “a dream come true,” noting that most of the construction and finishing work took place within the past eight years.
After years of political turmoil, funding challenges, and pandemic-related delays, Egypt now hopes the museum will serve as a new global attraction. The public will be allowed entry starting Tuesday, when the doors officially open to tourists.
Tourism Minister Sherif Fathy said the government expects the museum to attract five million visitors annually, with current attendance averaging 5,000–6,000 people per day. “We hope to increase that to 15,000 daily,” he added.
Tourism, one of Egypt’s key economic pillars, generated $12.5 billion in the first nine months of 2025 — a 21% rise from the previous year, according to official data. The country aims to welcome 18 million visitors by year’s end.
However, experts warn that the museum’s success will depend on sustained visitor interest and stability in the region. Monica Hanna, an Egyptologist and heritage campaigner, cautioned that “it is too early to decide” whether the GEM will meet Egypt’s expectations.
Analysts also note that ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Sudan, coupled with economic pressures, could pose challenges to maintaining steady tourism growth.
Still, for Egypt, the Grand Egyptian Museum stands as both a monument to its ancient past and a symbol of modern ambition — a cultural beacon at the foot of the timeless pyramids of Giza.
