Yesterday evening, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy and Lieutenant General Ahmed Khaled Hassan Saeed, Governor of Alexandria, launched Underwater Cultural Heritage activities and events, which will continue on August 20 and 21 at several museums and archaeological sites in Alexandria Governorate. The exhibition, featuring 86 artifacts, will run for six months.

The first activities included the opening of a temporary exhibition at the Alexandria National Museum, titled "Secrets of the Sunken City," and the museum's private library. The opening ceremony was attended by Ms. Yomna Al-Bahar, Deputy Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, and Engineer Ahmed Youssef, CEO of the Egyptian Tourism Promotion Authority. The event was also attended by Engineer Amira Salah, Deputy Governor of Alexandria, Mr. Ahmed Obeid, Permanent Undersecretary and Assistant Minister for Diwan Affairs, Major General Ihab Salem, Assistant Minister for Internal Audit and Governance Affairs, Dr. Hesham El-Leithy, Head of the Preservation and Registration Sector at the Supreme Council of Antiquities, Dr. Ahmed Hemeida, Head of the Museums Sector at the Supreme Council of Antiquities, Dr. Ahmed Rahima, Assistant Minister for Human Resources Development and General Supervisor of the Central Training Unit, Dr. Mohamed Shaaban, Assistant Minister for Digital Services, Dr. Ashraf El-Qady, Director General of the Alexandria National Museum, Dr. Mohamed Abdel Majeed, Senior Researcher at the General Administration of Underwater Antiquities, Dr. Basem Ibrahim, Director General of the General Administration of Services at Tourist and Archaeological Sites and Museums, along with a group of ambassadors and consuls of foreign countries in the Arab Republic of Egypt, senior public figures, and a number of leaders from the Ministry, Supreme Council of Antiquities, Egyptian Tourism Promotion Authority, and the Governorate.

The exhibition network also recognized the most prominent impact winners, identifying 86 pieces from discoveries at the cities of Canopus and Heracleion in Abu Qir Bay, east of Alexandria, to reflect aspects of modern life and beliefs, as well as the archaeological site during the Ptolemaic and Roman eras.

The museum's library was also established, specializing in the benefits of knowledge development and the infrastructure for knowledge development. It houses 1,100 books on a variety of subjects, including modern historical shocks, Greek, Roman, Coptic, Islamic, and modern eras. The museum also includes specialized publications in restoration and conservation sciences, including various books on cultural and social topics. It also includes a public library for mechanisms available to the sighted.

The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities' patent for museum libraries on the EgyTap platform, which was made available in a limited number of languages, confirms the effectiveness and availability of knowledge through the platform by providing it with the contents of museum libraries. The platform's work is not traditional, but rather accurately conveys information and benefits.

In his most powerful speech, Mr. Sherif Fathy welcomed the attendees, emphasizing that Alexandria is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, with its unique blend of history and modernity, and that it deserves a greater place on the global tourism map.

The youth represent the fruit of fruitful cooperation between the Supreme Council of Antiquities and foreign missions operating in Egypt, having assisted more than 300 participating excavation missions throughout the country. He noted his great appreciation for the efforts made in this field.

The Minister also reviewed his inspection tour of several archaeological sites in Alexandria, including the Graeco-Roman Museum and the Qaitbay Citadel, praising the development work being done there and expressing his confidence that these projects will continue to showcase the historic city in its most beautiful form.

The Minister emphasized that during the remaining period, through communication with tourism institutions, Alexandria should be used to attract tourists and connect it to the North Coast, which is witnessing increasing discovery, including an influx of tourist traffic.

In his speech, he outlined the facilities for the anticipated opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum on November 1st. He emphasized the importance of being honored by the presence of His Excellency the President of the Republic, on a single night befitting Egypt, its stature, and its unique cultural heritage. He explained that the world is eagerly awaiting this opening and to see the museum's halls, including the various exhibition halls, the King Tutankhamun Hall, and the Merkabah Museum, as well as the museum's pioneering scientific role, which aims to strengthen Egypt's position as a global center for Egyptology and the cradle of this science.

He also highlighted the interactive electronic platform launched by the Ministry a long time ago to intensify its activity in the tourism and archaeology sectors. He praised the remarkable growth witnessed by the tourism sector in Egypt, with the number of tourists exceeding 15.8 million last year, thanks to the dedication and efforts of all those working in this sector. He contributed to promoting this project in particular.

The author addressed the absence of attendees and all the evidence behind the successful organization of this exhibition, as well as the activities and events of the submerged cultural heritage, emphasizing that the achievements made today in tourism and antiquities are but a step towards establishing Egypt in its rightful place as the world's premier tourist destination.

In his speech, Lieutenant General Ahmed Khaled Hassan Saeed welcomed the attendees to Alexandria, the city of civilization and history, emphasizing that the opening of the "Secrets of the Fortune City" exhibition represents a unique cultural event that highlights Alexandria's ancient historical role as a bridge between East and West, and a bridge of culture and dialogue on the Caribbean coast.

The group of governorates noted that what we are witnessing today comes within the framework of the Egyptian state's vision for its heritage and the preservation of its cultural identity, under the care and attention of His Excellency the President of the Republic, who has made the protection of antiquities and the recovery of required documents an integral part of his national project.

He also thanked the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, the scientists, and the responsible research teams who produced this distinguished work, emphasizing that the museum is not merely a superficial display of Egypt's cultural image and a reinforcement of its global tourism status.

For his part, Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled reviewed the city's ancient history, emphasizing that the current development projects it has witnessed are evidence of its unique position since its discovery by Alexander the Great.

The city boasts distinctive antiquities, many of which are submerged beneath the Mediterranean Sea, highlighting the exceptional diversity of its cultural and civilizational heritage.

The Alexandria National Museum has also decided not to be present today, as it will be hosting this special event. This year, a collection of underwater artifacts will be displayed for the first time, uncovered at the Abu Qir excavation site in 2023.

The Minister of Tourism and Antiquities and the Governor of Abu Qir are scheduled to witness the recovery of several artifacts from the shallow seawater at Abu Qir today, which were uncovered throughout the day.

The Minister will also witness the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Supreme Council of Antiquities and the National Center for Antiquities of the People's Republic of China, in addition to the Smart Submerged Cultural Antiquities and Cultural Heritage Project.