Greek Community of Alexandria

Category: CULTURE

News about culture and cultural heritage

  • Grand Egyptian Museum construction to be completed by the end of 2016

    Grand Egyptian Museum construction to be completed by the end of 2016

    ΠολιτισμόςThe Ministry of Antiquities is planning to finish construction of the first phase of the Grand Egyptian Museum before 2016’s end.

    The ministry aims to have the museum partially-opened by mid-2017, keeping in mind several suggestions to increase its resources. According to dailynewsegypt.com, the Minister of Antiquities, Khaled El-Anany has discussed new sources of revenue for the ministry, such as offering package ticket deals to tourists, which include several archeological sites at discounted rates.

    El-Anany also mentioned that the ministry is promoting Egyptian antiquities globally through media, as well as opening new archeological sites and several other museums and palaces that have been shut down in 2011. Prime examples of such are the Pyramid Complex of Unas in Saqqara and the Tombs of Nefertari in Luxor. Ticket prices have also been lowered for tourist groups.

    As for the Egyptian Museum, the ministry plans on keeping it in full operation even after the opening of the new Grand Egyptian Museum, on account of only some of its monuments being transferred to the new one.

    (www.traveldailynews.com)

  • Archaeo Delta Photography Exhibition

    Archaeo Delta Photography Exhibition

    Βιβλιοθήκη ΑλεξανδρείαςThe exhibition is curated by the BA Alexandria Center for Hellenistic Studies in collaboration with the Ministry of Antiquities and Padua University and it will take place from 8 September until 30 September.

    The exhibition aims to document archaeological expeditions in various sites located in the Egyptian Delta in a rather unprecedented manner. The exhibition includes various photographs of archaeological sites and other landscapes, as well as photographs of two non-deltaic sites.

    The exhibition will also display pictures of the following archaeological expeditions:

    • Kom al-Ahmer and Kom Wasit in Beheira: Padova University, Italy.
    • Quesna, Sais- Mutubis in Kafr el-Sheikh: Durham University, United Kingdom.
    • Tell Timai, Daqahlyia: Hawaii University, USA.
    • Tell Murra, Sharqyia: Jagiellonian University in Poland.
    • Athribis, Sohag: Egyptian-German mission organized by the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities and the University of Tübingen.
    • Demeit al-Sebba, Fayoum: Salento University, Italy.

      Contact Person: Randa Ahmed 
      Phone: 1942 
      Email: [email protected]

  • Philippi becomes UNESCO World Heritage site

    Philippi becomes UNESCO World Heritage site

    TΑρχαιολογίαhe archaeological site of Philippi in northern Greece has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
    The decision was made Friday at a meeting of UNESCO’s international committee in Istanbul, Turkey. Greece had submitted an application in January 2015.
    The site is the location of the oldest Neolithic settlement in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, and one of the largest in the Balkans. Saint Paul founded the first Christian Church on European soil at Philippi in AD 49-50.
    The decision to include Philippi in the list was reportedly made on the basis of the site’s archaeological and architectural significance, as well as the religious significance.
    The decision takes the number of Greek World Heritage sites to 18.

    (www.ekathimerini.com)

  • Rare find of mosaic depicting the Labours of Hercules uncovered during Larnaca works

    Rare find of mosaic depicting the Labours of Hercules uncovered during Larnaca works

    ΠολιτισμόςMosaics from the second century AD which may depict the Labours of Hercules, have been uncovered in Larnaca during roadworks and appear to be of mayor importance, Sigmalive reported on Monday.

    The mosaics which are reportedly in better condition than those at the Tombs of the Kings in Paphos are thought to have been inspired by the Labours of Hercules.

    The antiquities were discovered while the Larnaca sewerage board was carrying out works on the Kyriakos Matsis road.

    According to a statement, there is a possibility that they will be left where they are and arrangements to construct an outdoor museum are planned.

    The interior and transport minister will visit the site and hold a meeting with the Larnaca municipality this week.

    The site has been covered with sand for safety reasons.

    According to Phileleftheros, the mosaic measures 20 x 4.5 metres. “Such discoveries are made only once every hundred years,” Giorgos Philotheou from the Antiquities Department told the newspaper.

    (cyprus-mail.com)