Khaldon Azhari
TOKYO: The “Ramesses the Great and the Gold of the Pharaohs” exhibition , a significant part of a global tour that will include Asia for the first time, is set to captivate Japan in the spring of 2025, as Egyptian archaeologist Zahi Hawass revealed in an interview with Arab News Japan.
‘We are thrilled to begin in Japan,’ said Hawass, Egyptian archaeologist, Egyptologist, and former Minister of State for Antiquities Affairs. ‘The Japanese, with their deep interest in and appreciation of Egypt’s ancient history, are the perfect hosts for this significant exhibition.’ The exhibition will first head to Tokyo and possibly later to Osaka.
Hawass said that Ramesses was Egypt’s greatest Pharaoh and ruled for 66 years. One statue of Ramesses weighs an extraordinary 1,000 tons. “Ramesses had many wives and consorts, the greatest of which was Queen Nefertari, for whom the Pharaoh built a magnificent temple and tomb.”
Dr. Mohamed Ismail, Secretary General of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, expressed hope that the exhibition will not only attract many visitors but also inspire them to visit Egypt, contributing to the preservation of its antiquities, a top priority for Egypt.
‘We are hopeful that holding this exhibition overseas will not only provide financial support to help restore the antiquities but also significantly increase the Supreme Council of Antiquities budget,’ he said.
Dr. Ismail said that the exhibition will move to Shanghai next July with a display of 787 pieces, and negotiations are under way to hold it in Hong Kong.