Tourism and Antiquities Minister Khaled Al-Anani launched the exhibition, “Kings of the Sun”, in Prague along with Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis. Now, all the tickets for the exhibition are sold out till June 6. The exhibition is the first Egyptian antiquities exhibition in Prague and the largest exhibition of antiquities from the Old Kingdom.
The preparation for the exhibition began about five years ago and this is the first Egyptian archaeological exhibition sent to the Czech Republic. Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Khaled Al Anani pointed out that the most of the antiquities on display have never left Egypt. He believes that the exhibition will attract a large number of visitors, not only from the Czech Republic, but from neighbouring countries as well, which will encourage them to visit Egypt to see its ancient civilisation as well as enjoy its beautiful beaches, bright sun and warm weather.
A large number of Czechs have visited the exhibition, said Mostafa El-Wazeeri, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, adding that it had attracted around 10,000 people since the show reopened on May 4.
Ibrahim Mostafa, the inspector escorting the exhibition, said around 400 people were visiting every day.
The exhibition is displaying 90 artefacts unearthed in excavations conducted by the Czech mission in Abusir. Among the most valuable items on display is a basalt statue of King Raneferef, carved around the year 2460 BC, alongside other objects and statues from the Old Kingdom.
All the visits to the exhibition after taking all the Covid 19 precautions into account. Visitors have to reserve their tickets, maintain social distancing , wear face mask and use hand sanitizers.
The exhibition’s inauguration coincided with the 60th anniversary of the start of Czech archaeological work in Egypt.