NEWS
What's going on in Egypt at the moment? What's worth the trip, News, new trip ideas, festivals…
To know all there is to know, come back often: this page is regularly updated.
EGYPT THRILLS SHAKIRA AS SHE SINGS AT THE PYRAMIDS
(Cairo) –Shakira shimmied her hips at the Great Pyramids in Cairo – the latest in a series of concerts featuring idols like the Pussycat Dolls, Ricky Martin, Enrique Iglesias, Craig David, Sting, and Sean Paul. Shakira told Al Ahram. “I can feel the greatness of Egyptian civilization. Here under the Pyramids, I feel my heart dance." In traditional costume Shakira enthralled to a song by Egyptian singer Om Kalthoum. Belly-dancing is part of the half-Lebanese singer’s roots. She brings Middle Eastern traditions under the spotlight and her show attracted thousands of young people.
Three sarcophagus discovered in Saqqara Necropolis
Japanese archaeologists discovered three 4,000 year-old sarcophagus in Saqqara Necropolis, south of Cairo. Saqqara is notably renown for its steps pyramid built by Imhotep for King Djoser, around 2,700 BC
Underwater archaeological museum in Alexandria
Archaeological treasures in Alexandria bay will be exhibited in a futuristic underwater museum, facing the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, in the heart of the antique city.
Stele discovery in Karnak
Egyptian team of archaeologists discovered a stele which should shed light on the history of Karnak temple.
« Fire of Anatolia » is performing in Egypt in March
Turkish ballet “Fire of Anatolia”, on world tour, will perform in Cairo at the Guiza pyramids (25-26 March), in Sharm el-Sheikh (28-29 March) and in Alexandria (31 March).
http://www.fireofanatolia.com
Pharaonic cemetery discovered in Luxor
The Egyptian-French archeological mission has discovered a Pharaonic cemetery inside the ancient Ramsis Temple in Luxor.
Luxor, rediscovering the Theban Necropolis
People living in the Theban Necropolis agreed to evacuate the antique site which has been inhabited for several generations. Tourists and archaeologists will soon access the 1,000 tombs of the ancient necropolis.
TRANSFORMATION OF LUXOR INTO AN 'OPEN MUSEUM'
Egypt's Minister of Culture, Farouk Hosni, has announced that he has agreed to carry out a project with the City of Luxor to enhance the cultural and historical riches of the ancient city of Thebes. This project, which will cost 250 million Egyptian pounds, will transform the city into a panorama of classical ancient monuments. Some of the key highlights of this project include lighting along the banks of the Nile and the reopening of the Rameses Road. The project will be carried out in several stages and got under way at the end of last May.
NEW SOUK IN CAIRO
The Souk El-Fustat is located in Old Cairo, between the Amr Ibn Al-As mosque, Egypt's first Mosque, the Church Al-Muallaqa, the 'Hanging Church', a church dedicated to the Virgin Mary and the recently restored Ben Ezra synagogue. This souk offers traditional hand-made items like embroidered robes, oriental lamps, wooden toys and fabric dolls. The potters working here continue to produce ceramics using ancient techniques. Certain boutiques play host to craftsmen from particular communities, such as the craftsmen of Upper Egypt, or associations like the one for the protection of the environment. Be careful though; unlike the Souk Khan El-Khalili, prices at El-Fustat are fixed and it is impossible to barter.
