The “golden parade” for the transfer of the pharaohs to the new museum in Cairo

Witnesses to a historic procession witnessed the residents of Cairo, who tonight witnessed the transfer of the royal mummies and sarcophagi from ancient Egypt to a new museum, where they will be displayed in the required brilliance.

This is a first-rate cultural event for Egypt, during which the 22 royal mummies and 17 sarcophagi were transferred from the Archaeological Museum in Tahrir Square to the new museum with a total area of ​​135,000 square meters, in the Fustat area of ​​the old Cairo.

The first black chariots, decorated with gold motifs and reminiscent of ancient funeral ships, departed from Tahrir Square and the Cairo Museum and arrived at the brand new museum half an hour later, where they were received by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi .

The events will be broadcast live on more than 400 television networks around the world. EPA / Mohamed Hossam

In chronological order, the Pharaoh Sekenenre Tao (16th century BC), the so-called “the Brave One”, opened the parade, which closed with Ramses IX (12th century BC). Among the most famous mummies that crossed Cairo tonight are those of Hatshepsut and Ramses II.

Bathed in blue light, the procession of 18 kings and four queens, mostly from the New Kingdom, was accompanied by an impressive spectacle: chariots driven by horses and women, dressed in ancient Egyptian costumes, and men from left to right in the way. drum.

The festivities began with a song, written especially for the occasion, by popular Egyptian singer Mohamed Munir.

The 22 mummies were discovered near Luxor after 1881 and most of them had not left Tahrir Square since the early 20th century.

They have been on display in a small room since the 1950s, but at NMEC they will be housed in modern display cases to better control the room’s temperature and humidity, said Salima Ikram, a professor of Egyptology. The decoration will refer to the underground tombs of the pharaohs, with their sarcophagi and personal effects.

See the “Golden Parade” for the transfer of the pharaohs to the new museum: