Shanghai Museum unveils series of projects to promote Egyptian exhibition

The largest showcase of ancient Egyptian artifacts in Asia features 788 objects selected from seven institutions around Egypt and has aroused high attention and interests among audiences from home and abroad.

Since its opening on July 19, the exhibition has received more than 2 million visitors, setting a new record for the highest attendance at a single paid exhibition in all museums around the world, according to Li Feng, former deputy director of Shanghai Museum.

More than 70 per cent of the visitors were from overseas or other parts of China, and the exhibition has generated revenue of more than 580 million yuan ($80 million). Statistics from the Egyptian ministry of tourism and antiquities also showed that the exhibition in Shanghai has brought a 65 percent increase in the number of Chinese tourists to Egypt.

It "showcases a diverse collection that represents many facets of Egyptian civilization," said Mohamed Ismail Khaled, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, during the opening in July, 2024. It includes depictions of prominent Ancient Egyptian gods such as Osiris, Isis, Horus and Ptah and features remarkable items from various Egyptian kings across different dynasties, highlighting statues of high-ranking people such as officials and priests, he said.

The Shanghai Museum will also take Egyptian-themed float parades to cultural landmarks and tourism sites all over China and join hands with museums and tourism institutions to hold promotional campaigns of the Pharaoh's experiences of traditional Chinese culture.

The museum launched on May 10 new social media accounts for Merneptah, the fourth Pharaoh of Egypt's 19th Dynasty, on the Chinese app Little Red Note and other platforms, posting the Pharaoh's journal every day, and communicating with audiences about culture, history and topics of public interest.

After the conclusion of the exhibition, the museum will introduce a book about the stories behind this record-breaking exhibition, and a new documentary about it will be premiered, too.