Grand Egyptian Museum delays official opening amid regional tensions
The long-anticipated official opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), originally scheduled for July 3, has once again been postponed.
In an official statement, Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli announced that the inauguration has been rescheduled to the final quarter of 2025. The Prime Minister is citing regional instability and security concerns linked to the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict.
Madbouli explained that the escalation of tensions across the region could undermine the international visibility. It would also affect the appropriate celebratory atmosphere expected for such a landmark cultural event. With the conflict likely to persist for several more weeks—overlapping the initial opening timeline—Egyptian authorities opted for a more cautious approach.
The government will announce a new official opening date based on how the situation evolves in the coming months.
Despite the delay, the museum has been partially open to the public since October 2024. Visitors currently have access to the Egyptian Galleries, the main entrance hall, the surrounding gardens, and the iconic Grand Staircase. The latter offers a spectacular layout with its masterpieces from Ancient Egypt.
Tourism authorities view the GEM as a cornerstone of Egypt’s cultural tourism strategy. The museum features twelve exhibition halls showcasing the country’s vast history. This ranges from prehistoric times through the Roman period. Two major highlights, the Tutankhamen galleries and the Khufu’s Boats Museum, remain however closed until the official inauguration.
With a floor area of 81,000 square meters, the Grand Egyptian Museum is considered the world’s largest archaeological museum. Its collections embrace over 100,000 artifacts.
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