A video clip revealed the routine visits and tours organized by the Grand Egyptian Museum inside the Great Lobby and in front of the statue of King Ramses II. The recent rumors on social media regarding rainwater affecting the museum’s foyer were denied by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. The museum’s supervisor confirmed that the rainfall is natural, studied, and expected during the design and implementation of the museum. The rainwater in the lobby area drains into a water tank, and it is reused in irrigation. The statue of Ramses II, made of granite, was not affected by rainwater, and the commercial and exhibition areas of the museum are covered. The museum building has a drainage network dedicated to such rains, and Ramses II statue was not affected by rainwater during its display in Ramses Square.
Written by Muhammad Asaad
Thursday, April 13, 2023 05:47 PM
A video clip revealed the regularity of visits and guided tours organized by the Grand Egyptian Museum inside the Great Lobby and in front of the statue of King Ramses II, and that the foyer was not affected by rainwater, as was reported on social media.
received The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities It was reported that some rain fell on the statue of King Ramses II, which is located inside the Great Hall of the Grand Egyptian Museum.
And the ministry stated in a statement issued by it that, with reference to the video that was circulated today on some social media sites regarding some rain falling on the statue of King Ramses II located inside the Great Lobby of the Grand Egyptian Museum, Major General Atef Moftah, the supervisor of the Grand Egyptian Museum project and the surrounding area, confirmed In it, the rumors regarding the existence of a danger from the fall of this rain are not true, indicating that the statue of Ramses II was not and will not be affected by rainwater, and that the museum and all its spaces are in the best state of preservation.
He explained that the rainfall is natural, expected and studied during the design and implementation of the museum and does not represent any danger to the museum or its holdings, and that there is no need to worry regarding the statue or the museum, indicating that the rain falling on the lobby area comes due to the architectural and engineering design of the open lobby of the museum, and that it There is no defect in the implementation of this design or the creation of the Museum.
Major General Atef Moftah pointed out that the location of the statue of King Ramses in the foyer is specified in the original design of the museum, as it is placed as if it is under a canopy in the foyer area, which is an area in the middle of the museum display building and the commercial building. The sun allows the movement of air inside the lobby, depending on ventilation and natural lighting, in order to save energy consumption and also reduces the temperature in the summer. Rainfall has also been taken into account by making paths to collect it in a water tank and reuse it in irrigation.
He stressed that the design and implementation of the museum came in a scientific, methodical, accurate and well-studied manner, which contributes to providing visitors with a distinct and appropriate experience, whether in the winter or summer seasons.
He explained that the statue of Ramses, like other huge granite statues, is designed to be displayed in open spaces, stressing that the statue is intact and was not affected by rainwater as it is made of granite. Likewise, the commercial area of the museum was not affected because it is completely covered, like all restaurants, when it rains.
He added that as for the museum building, which includes the various exhibition halls, it is also completely covered, and no rain water is allowed to fall or leak into it.
He pointed out that there are drainage networks in the museum, especially in the foyer area, dedicated to such rains, which drain the water first, and this is not the first time that rain falls in this area.
It is worth noting that the statue of King Ramses II was located in Ramses Square from the fifties of the last century until 2006 when it was moved to the museum site, and it was not affected by rainwater.
In conclusion, the rumors circulating on social media regarding rain affecting the Grand Egyptian Museum and its holding are false. Major General Atef Moftah, the supervisor of the Grand Egyptian Museum project, confirmed that the museum’s design and implementation were well-studied, methodical, and scientific to provide visitors with a unique experience, whether in the summer or winter seasons. The rainwater was expected and studied during the design and implementation of the museum, and paths were created to collect it in a water tank and reuse it in irrigation. The statue of King Ramses II, like other granite statues, is designed to be displayed in open spaces, and it was not affected by the rainwater. The Grand Egyptian Museum continues to welcome visitors to experience the wonders of ancient Egypt, unhindered by any rainfall.
