BIA

MAI 2015
however. The 1,500 artefacts normally on
display at the museum were removed and
transported to a secure location at the start of
the attacks in North Sinai in July 2013, and
the museum then closed its doors to visitors.
— What were the agreements signed with
the Aga Khan Trust (AKTC) during the opening
of the Blue Mosque last week?
No new agreements were signed, but a
refreshment of the existing ones was agreed.
Next month a comprehensive meeting with the
head of the AKTC is to be held to discuss
future cooperation.
— What new projects does the ministry
have planned?
There are several, but the most important is
the opening of Egypt’s Military Panorama
Display at Qantara East, which is considered
Egypt’s eastern gateway. The Panorama will be
an open-air museum relating Egypt’s military
history though the exhibition of a number of
military fortresses and the Horus Military Road.
The ministry is developing the area of Tell
Habwa, where King Seti I’s fortress of Tharo is
located. The area of Pelusium where Roman
fortresses are found is also under development.
Near the New Suez Canal Corridor, a small
museum relating the story of Egypt’s military
history from the ancient Egyptian king Mena to
the October 1973 War is under construction in
collaboration with the armed forces.
A library housing documents of the wars
Egypt has been involved in will be set up and
will be completed in two years. Construction
work at the Atun Museum in Minyâ is to be
resumed soon, according to the protocol of
friendship signed between Minyâ in Upper Egypt
and Hildesheim in Germany. This museum will
have its own very positive impact on friendship
between Egypt and Germany. The Mârînâ al-
‘Alamayn Archaeological site is also to be
opened in July.
— Has the ministry anything planned for the
Egypt Treasures Conference to be held in
October under the auspices of President ‘Abd
al-Fattâh al-Sîsî?
The ministry will take part in a scientific
seminar and temporary exhibition about Egypt’s
different civilisations.
— What is the holding company that the
ministry wants to establish?
The company aims to help efficiently
manage the services provided at archaeological
sites and museums across Egypt, including
shops, cafeterias and restaurants. It also aims
to establish a new production unit to make
and sell replicas. The company would not by
any means manage the archaeological sites or
museums, as has been rumoured. On the
contrary, it would only manage the touristic
aspects at the archaeological sites in order to
upgrade the level of services provided which in
turn will increase the ministry’s income. The
company would be affiliated to the ministry.
The establishment of such a company is
not something new. The Sound and Light
Company at the Gîza Plateau is another
example.
— Is there an investment plan for Historic
Cairo?
We are planning to introduce new ideas,
such as the establishment of a hotel using
some of the historical edifices. This kind of
investment is well known abroad and helps
protect and preserve monumental edifices
without impacting on their authenticity or
historical value. Such a hotel would be the first
of its kind in Egypt and would be owned by
the ministry, which would request the help of
an international hotel organisation to run the
hotel at the highest level.
— What problems does the ministry face
that could frustrate its efforts?
The lack of finance is an enormous
obstacle that the ministry is facing now. Several
new projects were started before the revolution
which in my opinion were beyond the ministry’s
budget. Some of these projects were even put
on halt before the revolution, such as the
Graeco-Roman Museum development project,
the museums at Sharm al-Shaykh, Ismâ‘îliyya,
Port Said, Aten, Suhâg and Hurghada, and the
development of the Gîza Plateau and Saqqâra.
After the revolution, the financial situation got
worse due to the decline of tourism to Egypt.
Now negotiations are taking place with all the
contractors, companies and foreign partners in
an attempt to resume the work.
BIA LI — Janvier/Juin 2015 121