Revolution praised as Tutankhamun exhibition opens

THE EGYPTIAN ambassador to Ireland has welcomed the overthrow of President Hosni Mubarak and said his country could now look forward to a brighter future.

Amr Helmy said the Egyptian people were moving toward establishing a country where the values of democracy, individual freedom and liberty could be respected.

Speaking at the opening of the Tutankhamun exhibition in the RDS yesterday, Mr Helmy said the manner in which the Egyptian people had achieved change in “such a civilised manner should be no less respected than the outstanding achievements of their ancient ancestors”.

The ambassadors of more than a dozen countries and Minister for Culture Mary Hanafin attended the launch of the exhibition, which features replicas of the treasures from Tutankhamun’s tomb, which was first excavated in 1922.

Mr Helmy said he had been struck by the interest that Irish people had in ancient Egyptian civilisation since he came to the country three years ago.

The Tutankhamun exhibition, which runs until July, was coming at a time when modern Egypt was witnessing a “far-reaching transformation, politically, culturally, economically and socially”, he believed. The ancient Egyptians had pursued excellence in everything they did and had a great understanding of human dignity.

“We can prove ourselves that we are a continuation of those people that did these wonderful artefacts,” he said.

“In Egypt we are working very hard to align our vision with our long-standing history of achievements in human fields.”

The exhibition is being run by German exhibitor and concert promoter Semmel. It features full-scale reproductions of Tutankhamun’s tomb and treasures, including the world-famous sarcophagus and death mask.

The real treasures are in the Cairo Museum, which was looted two weeks ago during the disturbances which surrounded the overthrowing of the Egyptian president.

The Egyptian authorities have said 18 objects were taken from the museum and these included a gilded wood statue of Tutankhamun. Some have already been recovered.

Exhibition organiser Christoph Scholz said he had received a message from Egyptologist Dr Mostafa El Ezapy from the University of Cairo, who was supposed to be at the opening of the exhibition but could not come because of the turmoil in his home country.

The message said that the Cairo Museum was now secured and there would be no further looting.

Ms Hanafin said it was a source of pride that the winning architect’s design for the new Cairo Museum was won by an Irish architectural firm, Heneghan Peng.