The document summarizes the opening of the Avenue of Sphinxes in Luxor, Egypt in March 2012. It details the history and restoration of the 2,700 meter avenue lined with sculptures of sphinxes connecting Luxor and Karnak temples. The restoration project took nearly five years and unearthed artifacts along the avenue. The opening will allow visitors to experience the avenue and visit other nearby historical sites like Khonsu Temple and the tomb of King Mereneptah.

1. Egyptian Tourism Promotion Authority
EGYPT THIS MONTH
February 2012 www.egypt.travel Issue 32
THE MOST IMPORTANT RELIGIOUS AND
HISTORICAL ROUTE OPENS IN MARCH
The Avenue of Sphinxes
Live Colors Egypt
An important event will take place in Luxor in March of this
year with the official inauguration of the Avenue of Sphinxes.
The Avenue which connects Luxor and Karnak temple, is
one of the most important archaeological and religious
routes in Luxor, and where the historical and religious festival
- Opet Festival took place in ancient times. It marked the
annual voyage of God Amun Ra, transferred from Karnak
temple on a sacred boat to Luxor temple, where he visits
his wife Goddess Mut.
The restoration project started nearly five years ago,
It was built by King Nectanebo, who ruled Egypt during
February . 2012 1

2. Egyptian Tourism Promotion Authority News letter Egyptian Tourism Promotion Authority News letter
Sheraton Cairo CLoSed For
maJor renoVation
Starwood Hotels & Resorts & the owning company
of Sheraton Cairo Hotel Towers & Casino currently
closed as of 1 October 2011 to allow renovation
works to be completed while ensuring an on time
re-opening in the summer of 2012.
The renovation, which began in 2010, is considered
one of the most comprehensive ever done within an
operating property. The project includes 656 fully ren-
ovated guest rooms, nine renovated restaurants and
bars, a new entrance, new façade, fully-equipped
business center, new ballrooms, health club and
lobby. All public areas will continue to reflect the
historical standing of the hotel as one of the city’s
landmarks since its opening in 1970.
Singer’S tomb unearthed
in egypt
Archaeologists have unearthed the 1,100-year-old The excavation and restoration work is a purely Egyptian
tomb of a female singer in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings, the 30th dynasty between 380-362 B.C. and replaced an initiative- a collaboration between the former Supreme
officials revealed. older path, which dated back to the 18th dynasty – New Council of Antiquities (SCA) and Luxor Government to
It is the only tomb of a woman not related to the Kingdom. The avenue measures around 2,700 meters long revive the Avenue.
Ancient Egyptian royal families ever found there, said and 76 meters wide, and is lined with a large number of
Mansour Boraik, the top government official for the statues in the shape of sphinxes, (the body of a lion, and in The SCA allocated a large amount of money to remove
antiquities ministry in the city of Luxor. that case, King Nectanebo’s features). all encroachments around the area to make way for a
The coffin of the female singer is remarkably intact. complete view of the Avenue and compensate those who
The singer’s name, Nehmes Bastet, means “she was The project was preceded by a series of excavation work, own houses and shops along the route, as well as for the
believed to be protected by the feline deity Bastet”. during which workshops of clay pots, wine factories, a huge excavations and restoration works.
Live Colors Egypt
Live Colors Egypt
The tomb was found by accident, according to water cistern and several reliefs were unearthed. One of
Elina Paulin-Grothe, field director for excavation at the reliefs bears the cartouche of Queen Cleopatra VII In total, excavators unearthed more than 650 sphinxes out
the Valley of the Kings with Switzerland’s University (51-30 BC). It was believed that Queen Cleopatra visited of the original 1350. The most preserved and nearly ready
of Basel. this Avenue during her Nile trip with Mark Anthony and for the inauguration is the section behind the Luxor Heritage
Archaeologists concluded from artefacts that she implemented restoration work that was marked with her Center, or south of the road that leads to the airport,
sang in Karnak Temple, one of the most famous and cartouche. Remains of Queen Hatshepsut’s chapels, which which has a little over 600 meters of the total Avenue. A
largest open-air sites from the Pharaonic era, accord- were reused by King Nectanebo I in the construction of descending ramp from the main road makes way down to
ing to evidence at the site. sphinxes, have also been found. Queen Hatshepsut has the Avenue, where tourists can enjoy a leisurely walk back
The unearthing marks the 64th tomb to be discov- recorded on her red chapel in Karnak temple that she built in history. Moreover, approximately another 200 meters of
ered in the Valley of the Kings in Luxor. six chapels dedicated to the worship of God Amun Ra on the total Avenue is currently complete and is located right
this Avenue, denoting a mere religious importance to the in front of the Luxor temple. The remaining three sections
Avenue. are visible from the road level, but visitors cannot gain
access to all of it yet, pending removal of any obstacles.
2 February . 2012 February . 2012 3

3. Egyptian Tourism Promotion Authority News letter Egyptian Tourism Promotion Authority News letter
the egyptian paViLion at the
Stuttgart hoLiday eXhibition
2012 aWarded “beSt diSpLay
paViLLion”
The CMT Stuttgart Holiday Exhibition is one of the
leading events related to tourism held at the begin-
ning of each year. The Egyptian Tourism Office in
Frankfurt took part in this event with a 50m² booth,
CroCodiLe muSeum to open
and in the Stuttgart Golf & Wellness Holiday exhibition in aSWan neXt month
with a 30m² booth. The first “Museum of Crocodiles” is opened last
The CMT Stuttgart Holiday Exhibition includes more month in front of the Temple of Kom Ombo in Aswan,
than 1900 exhibitors from 96 countries and received coinciding with Aswan’s National Day.
this year around 250,000 visitors to discover unique The museum will display a collection of mummi-
travel experiences in Europe and interact with the fied crocodiles, and statues of the god Sobek , the
leading experts from the related field. Khonsu Temple crocodile god, as the Ancient Egyptian worshipped
The participation of Egypt in this exhibition was him believing that he was the creator of the world
preceded by organized trips by the Egyptian Tourism While visitors are at the Avenue of the Sphinxes, they will who arose from the “Dark Water”. For that reason
office in five of the major German cities; Berlin, be able to also visit the Khonsu Temple. It is positioned at they built the temples in Kom Ombo, Esna, Fayoum
Frankfurt, Munich, Hamburg and Koln with intensive the southwest corner of the confines of the Karnak temple and in other areas.
advertising campaigns in major German newspapers complex in Luxor and is dedicated to the moon God A total of twenty two mummified crocodiles of vari-
and magazines specialized in tourism and travel, and Khonsu, who was the son of Amun and Mut, and together ous sizes: from the smallest, 1.5 metres long, to the real
the participation of professionals and exhibitors to they form a triad, which is a group of three worshipped in giants of almost five metres of length will be exhibited.
demonstrate the most popular Egyptian destinations Karnak. The earliest construction of the temple dated to The display shows the crocodiles in its natural envi-
for Germans, including El Gouna Red Sea, Port Ghalib the reign of King Ramses III – 20th dynasty, New Kingdom, ronment, as well as another display of a burial place
and Soma Bay Resorts. Two hundred touristic offices and was followed by other kings. On the walls of the temple for the crocodiles, showing how they were mummi-
participated in the event. are also the pictures of other different kings all the way up fied and buried, eyes and teeth from gold and ivory
Egypt’s booth allocated a round table for each to the Ptolemaic area. that replaced the crocodile’s own after its death,
exhibitor and presentations were made on tourism On its façade are four grooves, the purpose of which is as well as coffins from clay and an altar where the
in Egypt, focusing on the beaches and re-boosting The temple is currently undergoing a restoration phase, to house flags. The scenes on the façade are mainly crocodiles were placed for worship.
Live Colors Egypt
Live Colors Egypt
cultural tourism. The event aimed to increase the (one of the initiatives of the American Research Center in offering scenes to the triad of Thebes - Amun, Mut and In the museum, visitors will also view twenty statues
travel agents’ awareness in regard to Egypt’s natural Egypt), and will hopefully be opened during the month of Khonsu presented by Panedjem of the 21st dynasty. The and plaques on the worshipping of the crocodiles
potential and components, including activities such March as well. Nevertheless, at the moment visitors can pylon escorts visitors to the temple’s precincts including a including the god
as golf, desert trips, oases and health tourism. still gain easy access to the temple, wonder its halls and peristyle court, housing a number columns. The court makes Sobek.
The Egyptian Tourism Authority will be organizing marvel at the colorful decorations after the restoration, and way to a hypostyle hall with another series of columns. The The museum is
several events both in Egypt and Germany, to pro- compare them with others that have not been restored yet. temple ends with the sanctuary, which usually housed a considered one of
mote Egypt as a key partner of ITB which is to be held statue for the chief God of the temple carried on a sacred the largest in the world
in March 2012, including organizing a press confer- The temple’s entrance façade or the so called pylon, is boat. The sanctuary is surrounded by side halls and visitors for crocodiles and is located
ence in Luxor to announce the event to 300 German preceded by an avenue of sphinxes, which dates back could come across a stairway leading to the temple’s roof. in an area where most cruise ships
Travel agents with the presence of media specialists, to the reign of King Amenhotep III – New Kindgom, and is The scenes on the different walls of the temples are mainly pass and stop overnight in Kom
on online booking technologies, marketing and sales connected to the main Avenue of the Sphinxes. The Pylon religious ones, showing different Kings idolizing and making Ombo.
and tourism products. is in the form of two towers, measuring around 32 meters in offerings to the chief God of the temple, and other Gods
length, 18 meters in height and around 10 meters in width. and Goddesses as well.
4 February . 2012 February . 2012 5

4. Egyptian Tourism Promotion Authority News letter Egyptian Tourism Promotion Authority News letter
Tomb of King Mereneptah
Another site visitors can see is the tomb of King Merenptah
that is located in the Valley of the Kings and carries number
CALENDAR February 2012
KV 8. The king was one of the sons of the eminent King
Ramses II. The tomb was initially discovered by Lepsius, but Art The Photographic Gallery Opera
was completely excavated by Howard Carter in 1903. It Tel: (02) 2615 3318
was not in a good state of preservation, and has been 1st Bahgory on Revolution. - Paintings by Time: Exhibition runs until March 1st 11th Wagner’s Gotterdammerung - Live
closed for complete restoration and is scheduled to reopen Georges Bahgory. An event dedicated opera from Metropolitan Opera. Debo-
during the month of March as well, in light of the official to the first anniversary of the Egyptian 6th Al Lakta Al Wahda. - A collective rah Voigt stars as Brunnhilde and Gary
opening of the Avenue of the Sphinxes. uprising. of artists exhibition from various back- Lehman is Siegried, the star-crossed lovers
Al Masar Gallery, Baehler’s Mansion, 157b, 26 July grounds. Their works cover a wide range doomed by fate.
St. Zamalek. of themes and will be opened during a Small Hall, Cairo Opera House
Tel: (02) 2736 8537 movie screening that depicts an urban Tel: (02) 2739 0132
Suez nationaL muSeum Time: Exhibition runs until February 17th renewal and gentrification project in Tur- Time: 7 pm
key.
The Minister of State for Antiquities Affairs and Austrian Cultural Forum, 1103 Corniche El Nil, 1st
General Mohamed Abdel Moneim Hashem, floor. Garden City 25th Verdi’s Ernani - Live opera from Met-
Governor of Suez inaugurated the Suez National Tel: (02) 3570 2975 ropolitan Opera. Angela Meade takes
Museum last month. The opening was a big cele- Time: Exhibition until February 16th. center stage in Verdi’s thrilling early gem.
bration to coincide with the first anniversary of the Salvatore Dmitri Hvorostovsky and Ferruc-
Egyptian revolution, in recognition of the city of Suez 12th Razor-Sharp Teeth. - Artist Ali Abdel cio Fulanetto round out the cast.
as it was the first city to launch, the first spark of the Mohsen who draws inspiration from the Small Hall, Cairo Opera House
revolution. long-list of things that make him misera- Tel: (02) 2739 0132
The 48 million Egyptian pounds project in Suez is ble, like bad news, conflicts and deterio- Time: 7 pm
built over 6000 m² and houses 2,500 archaeological ration.
pieces that tell the story of the city of Suez from prehis- Mashrabia Gallery, 8 Champollion St. Downtown
toric times to the modern era. The Suez Museum will Tel: (02) 2578 4494 Ballet
display, in one big hall, archaeological artifacts and Time: Exhibition runs until March 8th
illustrations that reveal the modern history of Suez and 16th , 17th & 19th - 22nd - Swan Lake
the residents’ battles against the British occupancy, 1st Salatat - Artist Hany Rashed. His pop The Cairo Opera Ballet Company will
and will also highlight the struggle of the city that art style and masterful collage evolve perform one of the most famous classi-
lasted for many years until their victory in the October with fluidity over the course of his art cal ballets by Tchaikovsky to a libretto by
24th, 1973 battle. The museum is also equipped with career. Begitchev and Geltser. Although it is pre-
221 electronic guide systems in Arabic, English and Tache Art Gallery , S-139 El Sahara District, sented in many different versions, most
grand egyptian muSeum to French, in addition to 48 fixed surveillance cameras. Designopolis, Km38, Cairo/Alexandria Road. ballet companies base their staging both
The Minister of Antiquities confirmed that the feasi- Tel: (02) 3857 2232 choreographically and musically on the
open auguSt 2015 bility study conducted for the project before the kick Time: Exhibition runs until February 25th 1895 revival of Marius Petipa and Lev Iva-
Egypt’s Antiquities Minister announced the start of of work in early 1994, confirmed that the museum nov.
the final phase of construction at the Grand Egyptian is expected to originate important revenue. The 1st Politica - Artist Kassem. A young con- Main Hall, Cairo Opera House
Museum, scheduled for inauguration in 2015. museum, that is to be listed among the main Egyptian temporary artist that has shown great cre- Tel: (02) 2739 0132
touristic sites, is expected to receive more than one ativity in creating a world entirely his own. Time: 8 pm
The new museum is being built on the Cairo- million visitors per year. The Minister called on for Safar Khan Art Gallery, 6 Brazil Street Modern Dance
Alexandria Road, overlooking the Giza Pyramids. Ali the foundation of an association for the Museum’s Tel: (02) 2735 3314
said that the project will cost LE5 billion, adding that friends, from the youth and businessmen to promote Time: Exhibition runs until February 24th 22nd & 24th & 26th - 29th Spiritualities of
the Japanese government had provided a large part it both locally and internationally. Bejart - Egyptian Modern Dance Theater
Live Colors Egypt
Live Colors Egypt
of the funding as a soft loan to be repaid within ten The Suez National Museum is a modern, two-storey 4th Painting & Sculpture Exhibition - Art- Company founded by Walid Aouni.
years of inauguration. building. The ground floor includes an exhibition hall, ists Hamdi Abouelmaati, Shawki Maarouf, Gomhouria Theater, Abdeen Square
stock rooms, a VIP Lounge, a library, a cafeteria and Salah Abdel Rahman, Moustafa Abdel Tel: (02) 2739 0132
The present phase of construction is scheduled to administrative offices. While the first floor displays the Rehiem and Magdy Osman. Time: 8 pm
last three years and four months, ending in August uncovered archaeological pieces and the second Picasso Art Gallery, Brazil Street
2015. The opening was previously scheduled for floor includes six exhibition halls each specialized in Tel: (02) 2736 7544 March 1st Carte Blanche to Hip Hop - Four
March of the same year. a different era of the ancient Egyptian times. The Time: Exhibition runs until February 19th. Opening groups from Alexandria will perform to be
The project, that was the initiation of the previous museum’s building is surrounded by a 10 m² garden at 7 pm 26th Giza Threads. - A photographic exhi- followed by a panel discussion
Minister of Antiquities, currently provides 5,000 job and a 12 thousand m² parking area. bition by Rana El Nemr. French French Institute, 30 Nabi Daniel St. in
opportunities, with another 15,000 work opportuni- The museum also includes in an adjacent area, 5th Van Leo - A Rare Look. - A photo- Townhouse Gallery, 10 Nabrawy St, off Champolion, Alexandria
ties expected once it is opened. The new museum restoration laboratories equipped with the latest graphic exhibition featuring a special Downtown Tel: (03) 392 0804
will secure a substantial income for Egypt. equipment for restorations. photographic exhibition by one of Egypt’s Tel: (02) 2576 8086 Time: 7 pm
greatest photographers. Time: Opening at 7 pm. Exhibition until March 1st Music
6 February . 2012 February . 2012 7

5. Egyptian Tourism Promotion Authority News letter
Theater
7th to 10th A Lifetime Painting - A musi-
cal play that focuses on several Gibran
Khalil Bibran’s works, which shows his
great thoughts that reach the boundar-
ies of materialistic and spiritual existence.
Twenty scenes with different themes
accompanied by a review of Gibran’s
views and stages in life. Directed by Joe
Moukarzel
Main Hall, Cairo Opera House
Time: 8 pm and 9th & 10th a matinee show
8th , 9th & 13th - 16th
Mad Forest - Play by Caryl Churchill. The
play discusses the Romanian Revolution in
1989 with its political and social repercus-
sion on the people.
Malak Gabr Arts Theater, American University, New
Cairo Campus
Tel: (02) 2615 1221
Time: 7 pm
13th The Left-handed Woman - The per-
formance is in Arabic in adaptation to the
novel by Peter Handke. The performance
is back after its great success in 2011
Rawabet Theater, 3 Hussein Me’amar St. (off
Mahmhoud Bassiouni St. Talaat Harb Sq.)
Downtown
Time: 8 pm
2nd Oriental Percussion Fusion - Fathy Sal- French Institute in Cairo, Mounira
ama and Sharkiat Group Tel: (02) 2791 5800 Film Screening
Cairo Jazz Club, 197 26th July St. Agouza Giza Time: 8 pm to midnight. Invitations from the Institute
Tel: (02) 3346 1071 are required. 6th Austrian Film Screening - “My House
Time: 10 pm Stood in Sulukule” - A documentary on
12th Piano Recital - Veteran pianist Omar a run-down district in Istanbul. The film
4th Jazz Fusion - Fawk El Setouh Band Khairat. depicts Sulukule as an example of numer-
El Sawy Cultural Wheel, end 26 July St. Main Hall, Cairo Opera House ous urban renewal and gentrification
Zamalek Tel: (02) 2739 0132 projects world-wide and their social con-
Tel: (02) 2736 8881 Time: 8 pm sequences. The movie is shown in its origi-
Time: 8 pm nal language with German subtitles.
17th Jazz Concert - Veteran jazz player Austrian Cultural Forum, 1103 Corniche El Nil, 1st
7th Egyptian Modern Songs - Masar Yehia Khalil. floor. Garden City
Egbary Band Small Hall, Cairo Opera House Tel: (02) 3570 2975
Live Colors Egypt
El Sawy Cultural Wheel, end 26 July St. Zamalek Time: 8 pm Time: 6.30 pm
Tel: (02) 2736 8881
Time: 8 pm 21st Acoustic Original and Blues - Tamara
Yousri followed by Bluenotes Folklore
7th Contemporary Oriental Fusion - Cairo Jazz Club, 197 26th July St. Agouza Giza 16th Salma El assal - Sudanese singer.
Canadian artist Neema and Egypt’s own Tel: (02) 3346 1071 Every Wednesday a performance for
Salalem Band Mazaher Band.
Cairo Jazz Club, 197 26th July St. Agouza Giza 26th Classy Jazz - Ashraf Habashi and The Makan, 1 Saad Zaghloul St. Al Diwan
Tel: (02) 3346 1071 Jazz Caterers Tel: (02) 2792 0878
Time: 10 pm Cairo Jazz Club, 197 26th July St. Agouza Time: 9 pm
Giza
9th Chloe (France) - DJ set with Neobyrd Tel: (02) 3346 1071
Band (Egypt). Time: 10 pm
8 February . 2012