On the evening of 1 November 2025, Egypt marked a landmark moment in its cultural history with a dazzling gala to inaugurate the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) near the Giza Pyramids.
On the evening of 1 November 2025, Egypt marked a landmark moment in its cultural history with a dazzling gala to inaugurate the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) near the Giza Pyramids.
November 1, 2025
On the evening of 1 November 2025, Egypt marked a landmark moment in its cultural history with a dazzling gala to inaugurate the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) near the Giza Pyramids.
The gala was more than ribbon-cutting: it was an immersive, theatrical celebration of ancient civilisation brought to life in the desert night. Hundreds of drones danced overhead, forming hieroglyphic symbols and divine figures.
Fireworks and laser displays lit up the sky above the museum complex. Actors dressed in pharaonic costumes, a live orchestra and pop artists combined to create an experience that blended antiquity with modern spectacle.
The guest list read like a roll-call of world leaders and royalty. Delegations from more than 70 countries were present, underscoring how GEM is not just an Egyptian institution but a global cultural beacon. The museum stands only about two kilometres from the Giza Pyramids and is poised to become the largest museum in the world dedicated to a single civilisaton, housing more than 50,000 artefacts, including the full treasures of Tutankhamun’s tomb.
Beyond the glitz, the gala symbolised Egypt’s ambition to re-energise its tourism sector, promote cultural diplomacy and reinstate its role at the centre of global heritage conversation. The museum’s modern architecture, state-of-the-art conservation facilities, and interactive galleries signal a fresh approach to ancient history. As Egypt’s President stated during the event: this is a “platform for dialogue, a destination for knowledge, a forum for humanity” in a country whose history stretches back over seven millennia.
With the gala complete, the focus now shifts to welcoming the public into the vast halls of GEM. Visitors will walk beneath monumental statues, ascend the central staircase towards a panoramic view of the Pyramids, and immerse themselves in the full Tutankhamun collection — seen together for the very first time. The gala was only the beginning: the museum is now open to the world, ready for its new chapter.
