Ashraf AboArafe
During her working visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt, Olga Lyubimova, Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation, met with her colleagues at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) and toured the historic district of Old Cairo.
Officially inaugurated in 2021, the NMEC stands as one of Egypt’s most significant cultural landmarks. The Russian delegation was welcomed by Dr. Tayeb Abbas, CEO of the Museum Authority.
Nestled in the ancient district of Fustat, the museum complex spans 960,000 square meters and houses over 120,000 artifacts — treasures that chronicle Egypt’s timeless journey through history. Its grand opening was marked by the famed “Pharaohs’ Golden Parade,” in which the mummies of 18 kings and 4 queens were ceremoniously transferred from the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. Inside, visitors embark on an immersive exploration of Egypt’s civilization and its remarkable achievements, preserved under a sophisticated air-conditioning system maintaining near-perfect temperature and humidity levels.
The Russian delegation also ventured through the sacred heart of Old Cairo, visiting the Hanging Church, a jewel of Coptic heritage built atop one of the towers of the Roman fortress. There, they admired its ancient iconostasis and the relics of revered saints venerated by the Coptic community.
Minister Lyubimova’s journey continued to Abu Serga Church, home to a crypt believed to have sheltered the Virgin Mary and the infant Jesus during their flight into Egypt — a revered pilgrimage site for Christians from around the world.
Among Old Cairo’s shining gems, the Coptic Museum stands out with its 29 galleries showcasing the world’s richest collection of Coptic art — from frescoes and gilded capitals to manuscripts and intricate textiles.
In a symbolic gesture of cultural harmony, the Russian Ministry of Culture is planning a major collaborative project dedicated to the Coptic Orthodox Church, with the participation of several leading Russian museums — a bridge between two civilizations united by faith, art, and the eternal language of heritage.
