Umm Kulthum Museum

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The preparation for founding the Umm Kulthum Museum began in 1998, and the museum was open to the public in Dec.2001. Umm Kulthum’s role as a pop singer, cultural icon in both the Egyptian community and the Arabic world contributed enormously to the creative phase of Egyptian modern history.
Therefore, it is important to preserve this legendary tradition through collecting Umm Kuhlthum’s music, personal belongings, and related artifacts and to house them in a well established archive center.
In this process, CDF is proud to take the leadership role in supervising and funding the museum. Moreover, in order to enrich the museum collection, CDF is also responsible for collecting lesser -known personal traits and artifacts through countless direct contacts with Umm Kulthum’s family members, hoping to provide with the public a more comprehensive view of Egyptian music during the 20th century.
Located on the Roda island, the Museum, a destination to display and store Umm Kulthum’s items, shares the 250m2 building attached to the Minsterley Palace. Another reason for choosing this location is that it contains the Nile-meter, the second oldest Islamic monument in Cairo and that it is adjacent to the 161 year-old Minsterley Palace (1000m2). The significant importance of this historical area reinforces Umm Kulthum’s
cultural status in Egypt.

The Umm Kulthum Museum
consists of four halls:
The Main Hall:
It displays the collection of her dresses, awards and pendants, five collages of her photos, as well as correspondences and letters.

The Cinema Hall:
It displays a documentary movie commissioned for the opening of
the museum about Umm Kulthum, and the hall seats a maximum of 30 people

The Multimedia Hall:
It consists of a digital archival system with bilingual notes (Arabic and English?) about her life, a complete list of her songs in audio and video formats, as well as a collection of her photos. In addition, there is a collection of archive of newspaper clippings about her from 19242000- and the most important written biography about her.

The Panorama Hall:
It features a 10-minute documentary photos in an artistic way accompanied by well-known
Egyptian composer “Ragh Daood.” Since Sep. 2011, and there is a monthly Saloon held in the museum, beside a bunch of music outreach programs to reach various audience; especially students. In addition, the museum is adapting a new topic in reaching out to the
world by presenting Umm Kulthum Open Daily from 9 am – 4 pm (except for National Days)
Tickets: Ordinary LE 2
Students LE 1
Foreigners LE 6
1 El-Malek El-Saleh street, Manyal, Telfax: 23631467
http://www.facebook.com/museum.ummkulthum – cdf@cdf-eg.org

The historical expedition of Prince Kamal El Din Hussein

Under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism This is a historic event taking place from the 14th to 26th of March 2014.

Who is the Prince?

The Prince  Kamal El Din Hussain (son of Sultan Hussain) who was heading out into the deep desert with Citroen Kegresse Autochinelles in the years 1923 – 1926.  Massive camel caravans of up to 500 animals were carrying his fuel supply as the logistical backbone of his ventures. He was the one who found and named the Gilf Kebir Plateau.A memorial plaque was laid down by Count Lazlo Almasy – better known as – The English Patient. This plaque was placed in honor of the Prince at the southern tip of the Gilf Kebir Plateau in 1933 after his death. The Hollywood film “The English Patient”, won nine Oscars in 1996. The Prince was the first to introduce the automobile into deep desert explorations.After 1 year of the construction of the memorial Almasy returned with tourists to revisit the site. That expedition was sponsored by the Royal Automobile Club of Egypt which was represented by Prince Muhammed Abdel Moneim and by the Ahram Newspaper represented by Hassan Sobhi.

The preliminary agenda for passengers

13 March 2014 – Arriving Cairo
Overseas participants arrive in Cairo. We will assist with hotel bookings and we will be delighted to assist and organize transfers to the hotels (only hotels listed as participating in Kamal Expedition).

14 March 2014 – Opening ceremony – Flight – Drive heading to Gilf Kebir
We will have a transfer organized from the hotels of our choice to the Kamal Expedition Opening Ceremony which will be held at the Automobile & Touring Club of Egypt in Cairo. You also have the choice of joining us independently at the Club if you wish. After a brunch and the ceremony we will be heading to the Cairo International Airport to catch a charter flight to Dakhla Oasis.
At the airport of Dakhla the packed 4×4 cars will be waiting for us and will bring us to have lunch. Meanwhile the last formalities will be finished with the government to have
a fast start to the desert after lunch. Divided into several groups, the participants will be leaving the Oasis heading south on the Asphalt Road. Leaving the road, our first visit will be the Balise of Saviem Trucks which traversed the entire Sahara from West to East in 1977 (from the Atlantic ocean to the Nile). In the area of G-Hills we will be looking for a camping place. In the evening we will have the chance to listen to an interesting lecture on a chosen topic related to the desert by one of our top speakers.

15 March 2014 – Wadi Eight Bells
After breakfast, we will be continuing in groups crossing different desert landscapes to approach the Gilf El Kebir plateau. We will find some relics from the Second World War: broken down Cars which were used by the British Special Forces, the Long Range Desert Group. We will also cross some dunes to reach the landing ground of 8 Bells where we will set up camps nearby. Like every night we will have the chance to listen to an interesting lecture on the desert by one of our top speakers.

16 March 2014 – Gilf Kebir – Wadi Wassa – Kamal El DIn Monument
We will be traveling through the Wadi Eight Bells to reach the Wadi Wassa and the Rock paintings of the Mararet el Qantara which was found in 1935 by a British explorer group under the leadership of Shaw. From here we will be heading south to the southern tip of the Gilf el Kebir Plateau where Almasy erected the Kamal El Din Monument 81 years ago. Nearby, we will find a set up prepared for the group. It will be on that occasion were all the groups will be gathered together and we would have a longer entertaining program for you that evening including the screening of a documentary film. If you do not feel like attending the screening, you could enjoy the calm evening weather some hundred metres away.

17 March 2014 – Camil Crater
After a late evening, the starting of the groups will be delayed. They will be heading to the south to reach the meteorite crater of Gebel Kamil, where they will be camping nearby. The evening will once again be filled with an interesting topic of one of the speakers.

18 March 2014 – Gebel Uweinat – Karkur Talh
The groups will be heading towards Gebel Uweinat to arrive there after a few kilometers looking for camping places in the Karkur Talh area and will be exploring the different sites of the Gebel Uweinat. In the evening there will be a chance of attending another interesting lecture.

19 March 2014 – Rock cave near Peter & Paul
There will be a chance to have a short hike in the mountain in the morning before heading back north to reach some interesting rock art caves near the mountain of Peter & Paul. In the evening another interesting lecture will be organized.

20 March 2014 – Gilf Kebir – Wadi Sura
We will be reaching the area of Wadi Sura (the Cave of Swimmers) which became famous through the 1997 film The English Patient. We will be visiting the Clayton Cave and the Chinati Camp site exploring some rock paintings nearby. Before that, we will have a second gathering in front of the Cave of the Beast. Here all the groups will unite for a second time to watch a short film about the life of the late Egyptian Father of Environment, Prof. Mohammed el Kassas, who died on that day (March 21st) one year ago in Cairo. Through different presentations and a film we will have a second longer night in that area.

21 March 2014 – Gilf Kebir Aqaba Pass
The groups will split up again to move over the Three Castles to the Aqaba Pass to drive on top of the Gilf Kebir Plateau and to cross some dunes which are on top of the plateau. Here we will be looking for different camping areas and have the chance to another interesting lecture.

22 March 2014 – Gilf Kebir – Wadi Hamra
We will reach the higher level of the Plateau and have a nice view at Belle Vue
onto the southern plane. Driving along the edge of the plateau we will reach a passage which will get us to the southern tip of Wadi Hamra. Here, we will be visiting different engraving sites and have a special look at the different Fauna of the Gilf el Kebir area. We will be camping at the northern exit of the Wadi Hamra where each group will get a chance to listen to an interesting lecture.

23 March and 24 March 2014 – Crossing Great Sand Sea
These 2 days we will be crossing the dunes of the Great Sand Sea having exciting passages crossing the dunes from west to east.

25 March 2014 – White Desert
We will be back near the Wadi Obaid and we will be entering the National Park of the White desert. Here a buffet will be waiting for all the participants. The groups will be spread in the National Park and a last evening with lectures will end our evenings in the desert.

26 March 2014 – Cairo – Closing Ceremony in Mena Hous
We will be leaving the White Desert National Park heading back to the road in a northerly direction reaching Baharya Oasis where a lunch will be prepared for everyone. After lunch, a 300 kilometre drive to Gizeh will bring us to the Mena House Hotel at the foot of the Pyramids. After a welcome coffee and cakes, the closing ceremony will be held in the hotel and will include a dinner. The anniversary of the Prince Kamal el Din monument will come to the end of its journey.

for more info visit : http://www.kamalexpedition.com

under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism This is a historic event taking place from the 14th to 26th of March 2014. – See more at: http://en.egypt.travel/events/id/371#sthash.aYWVe1KJ.dpuf

Minister of Tourism said : Egypt open for tourism

 

 

Egypt will end its state of emergency and lift all curfews in the country by November 14, according to Egypt’s Minister of Tourism Hesham Zaazou Speaking at World Travel Market at London’s Excel, he said, ‘Over 18 countries have now lifted their negative travel advice to key regions of the Red Sea, Luxor and Aswan. Egypt’s compass is now pointing in the right direction.’

Apart from the Red Sea resorts, the UK government currently advises against all but essential travel to most of Egypt including Luxor and Aswan, but the Minister hopes this is reviewed and expects to meet with the Foreign Office in the coming days.

 

Following this summer’s revolution and subsequent protests, Egypt has seen a huge drop in tourist arrivals. ‘It’s been a challenging time as over 4 million Egyptians work in tourism,’ he said. ‘In the last week of September, we saw a drop of 90% compared to last year which is huge. However, while the media has focused on negative images of Cairo, I want to stress that not one single tourist has been targeted.’

 

As part of the mission to win back tourists, the tourist board has launched their ‘Egypt Now’ initiative with live streams of key tourist hot spots in Egypt available on their website, as well as an ‘Egypt Travel’ mobile application  for visitors to plan their holiday.

 

‘One million British tourists visited Egypt last year and 1.46 million in 2010. We must be doing something right and we’re adamant we can retrieve these figures.’

 

A message From the Minister of tourism in Egypt

The official message of H.E. HISHAM ZAAZOU, Egypt’s Minister of Tourism. The Message is addressed to the tour operators (Egypt’s professional partners).

on the official YouTube Channel

Why I fell in love with Egypt…

On my first trip to Egypt, I wasn’t sure exactly what to expect.  I knew that I was in for the classics: towering pyramids, ancient relics, rolling dunes, and a sun rising over the desert. But what I found was that and so much more.

Located just five hours from London by air, Cairo International Airport was easily accessible and located just a short cab-ride from downtown Cairo.  Upon arrival in the city center, I realized that Egypt was a mixture of the ancient and modern, the spiritual and the commercial.

Cairo itself is a city that has been built  and re-built hundreds of times over throughout the millennia and the site of sky-scrapers located adjacent to Victorian-era mosques was a sight that I was not expecting by utterly delighted by.  Bedouin run stalls selling amazing food, handmade clothing and carpets, jewelry and antiques sat beside modern high-street shops.  From the latest fashions to ancient relics, the shopping in Egypt was without doubt as varied as any I had ever seen.

Outside of the city, I was expecting rolling deserts and caravans of Bedouin travelers.  I was not disappointed.  What I wasn’t prepared for was the variety of landscapes and activities available throughout Egypt.  From Africa’s largest man made lake – Lake Nasser – to the beaches of Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt offered so many activities I was kept busy for a week.  Scuba diving at Sharm el Sheikh offered me the chance to see the variety of sea-life on display in the crystal clear waters while – if I had had a bit more time – windsurfing, parasailing, and canoeing were available to help scratch the action sport fix.

Further south, along the Nile River, lake Nasser offered a chance to angle for the Africa’s biggest fresh water fish: the Vundu Catfish.  Some areas of the lake are preserved for wildlife and sight-seeing tours provide a chance to see massive alligators, delicate birds, and beautiful sunsets while other shore-lines provided me a safe and exciting fishing experience – wading out into clear, cool waters to cast a line in my hunt for a fish that can reach up to 55 kilograms.

It seems that Egypt provided more memories in a short time than I could hope to catalog easily in this blog: tasting authentic Bedouin cuisine, camping under the stars in the desert, and dancing the night away in some of Africa’s most famous night clubs, Egypt provided an experience unlike any other in the world.  I fell in love with Egypt during my time there and I am ready to go back as soon as I can.

http://undiscoveredegypt.co.uk/why-i-fell-in-love-with-egypt/

 

 

 

 

Egypt hosts Japanese children

In the frame of Egyptian Ministry of Tourism endeavors to increase the tourism flow from the Japanese market, the Ministry of tourism hosted 15 children who had suffered from the earthquake on December 2010, in an eight days trip to Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan ( from 26 December 2012 to 2^nd January 2013 ) .

The trip will include visiting the Pyramids, Salah El Din Citadel, and a nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan, in addition to celebrating the New Year at Steinberger Nile Palace hotel.

Egyptian Ministry of Tourism Latest News

The Ministry of tourism has been closely following the latest development in Egypt Domestic political scene , taking in consideration that such political developments are of temporary nature and are quite expected during this transition of the Egyptian Revolution

The Ministry of tourism take this opportunity to reassure its international tourism partners As well as its guests that these political developments do not affect services rendered to tourists and that business is as usual where Egyptians are keen to welcome their guests throughout the country .

The tourist arrivals to Egypt during the period Jan- Sep 2012 show an increase of 20.2% over the same period in 2011 (figures)

The Tourism industry in Egypt  – resilient as ever – continues to develop, plan and move ahead with the number of calculated new products such as the reoperation of the Nile cruises after a halt period of more than 15 years .

The kebbash Road connecting Luxor Temple with Karnak Temple will be reopened – after  a full over healing process – to visitors in March 2013 , as well as new measures to renovate the pyramids area . All touristic sites in Egypt are fully open to visitors as usual .

All those action reflect the vast interest and support the current Government of Egypt attaches to the Tourism Industry as one of the main pillars of Egyptian national economy.

The Ministry of tourism – once again – expresses its commitment to all measures to further develop and sustain this important industry ; welcoming tourists at all times .

Tomb of Egyptian princess found

Egypt – Cairo – Saqqara

Czech archaeologists have unearthed the 4,500-year-old tomb of a Pharaonic princess south of Cairo, Egypt’s antiquities ministry said.

Ministry official Mohammed El-Bialy said that princess shert nebti’s burial site is surrounded by the tombs of four high officials from the fifth dynasty dating to around 2,500 BC in the Abu Sir complex near the famed step pyramid of Saqqara.

The official said further excavation is needed before the tomb can be opened to the public.

Antiquities minister Mohammed Ibrahim said in a statement that the ante-chamber to the tomb of the princess includes four
limestone columns and hieroglyphic inscriptions.

Egypt’s vital tourism industry has suffered from the country’s internal unrest in the wake of the 2011 uprising that toppled Hosni Mubarak.

@irishtimes.com & skynews 

Egypt’s tourism anticipates comeback in winter

Tourism in Egypt is on track to witness a comeback this coming winter amid latest efforts made by the State Ministry of Antiquities to revive the industry dealt a heavy blow by last year’s turmoil.
Before the winter sets in, which is a high season due to the nice weather characteristic of the bright sunshine, fresh air, and warm breeze, tourism officials are trying their best to revamp Egypt’s wonders across the nation in a bid to attract more visitors.
On Thursday, Egypt’s State Minister for Antiquities Mohammad Ibrahim announced in Giza governorate the opening of Khafre pyramid’s inner tomb to visitors, along with six other graves dating back to the Old Kingdom. “We want to send a message to the whole world that the tourism wheel is spinning and that Egypt is stable enough to complete projects and safe enough to receive the tourists,” he said.
Khafre pyramid is the second of the three pyramids located in Giza governorate that were hailed as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It was closed for three years for innovation works, including the ventilation system inside the pyramid.
“The pyramids are one of the world’s seven wonders, it is hard to imagine the old pharaohs were able to build such edifices standing for more than 4,500 years,” Adalina Alejo, 40, a Spanish tourist told Xinhua.
In the necropolis 136 meters west of the pyramid, five tombs were opened, including the tomb of Kah Am Ankh who was known to be in charge of the secrets of the kings’ documents.
Meanwhile, in the necropolis east of the pyramid, the tomb of King Cheop’s granddaughter Meresankh was opened. Meresankh’s tomb is believed to be the most beautiful tomb in the Haram monument area.
“This is the first time to me and my husband to visit Egypt, and we began our tour at the pyramids. Besides the pyramids, I enjoyed listening to the tour guide’s stories about the pharaohs’ traditions,” Astonina, 39, Russian tourist told Xinhua.
“It’s very interesting to know the pharaohs were keen on putting food and drink beside their dead bodies as they believed in resurrection,” she added.
State’s Center for Statistics recently reported that the number of foreign tourists coming to Egypt increased in the first half of the year by 26.8 percent compared with same period last year, reaching 5.2 million.
Founder of the Tour Leaders Association Momen Mahrous said the tourist number increased significantly after the presidential elections, noting one third of the five and four stars hotels in Sharm al-Shaiekh and Hurghada are reserved for November.
“Sharm al-Shaiekh and Hurghada are considered as the best tourism places in Egypt in the winter because of the wonderful weather as well as the water activities such as diving, water- skiing, and snorkeling”, Mahrous said.
Secretary General of the Supreme Council for Antiquities Mohsen el-Sayed expect better tourist turnout in the winter season, noting the antiquity ministry will re-opens some other tourist sites soon.
“Jewels museum, located in Alexandria, will be reopened for visitors on Oct. 16,” el-Sayed said. The museum is housed in an architectural masterpiece, a 93-year-old palace, and displays jewelry and golden antiquities related to the royal family who ruled Egypt from 1805 to 1952. El-Sayed mentioned other projects will be achieved by the year 2015, including Civilization Museum, Grand Egyptian Museum, and Sharm al-Shaiekh Museum 

© Xinhua@global times

Egypt Reopens Giza Pyramid And Tombs To Tourists

Egypt’s new Antiquities Minister has reopened the Pyramid of Chefren and six other ancient tombs on the Giza plateau in a bid to bring tourists back to Cairo. The BBC reports that the tombs had been closed for a restoration project.

Egypt

has been looking for new ways to attract tourists since the Arab Spring arrived in the form of street protests. Now that there is a new government led by President Mohammed Morsi there are new problems. The recent attack on the U.S. Embassy in Cairo did little to dissuade westerners from believing the country is unsafe and unstable.

Egypt’s economy is largely dependent on tourism, which has been doing better in some parts of the country — notably along the Red Sea — than closer to the massive democracy’s urban center.

The Giza plateau
featuring the country’s most iconic pyramids and the Sphynx, may be the center of Egyptian tourism, but it also sits near downtown Cairo. The area is full of loitering touts and overstocked souvenir sellers.

The reopening is in keeping with the Egyptian tradition of reopening historic sites in an effort to drum up tourist interest. Typically these opening were spearheaded by former Antiquities Minister Zahi Hawass, who is no longer part of the Egyptian Government following several scandals. The opening may signal Muhammad Ibrahim’s willingness to take on Hawass’s role as a the cheerleader for Egyptian tourism.

The Daily Mail reports the visitors had not been allowed into the tombs due to concerns about the effects of the water vapor they bring in in the form of sweat and breath.

© huffingtonpostE