The Nile flows east: ancient Egypt secrets at HKPM | Arabic Window | Amjad Refai

Barely had the dust settled on the long-anticipated inauguration of the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo last November, when the vibrant city of Hong Kong witnessed its own significant cultural milestone – the opening of “Ancient Egypt Unveiled: Treasures from Egyptian Museums” exhibition at the Hong Kong Palace Museum. This remarkable showcase will continue to grace its halls until August.
This Hong Kong spectacle is a magnificent continuation of the resounding triumph achieved by the “On Top of the Pyramid” exhibition at the Shanghai Museum in China, which captivated an astounding 2.7 million visitors within a single year. The Hong Kong exhibition thoughtfully presents a curated selection of approximately 250 exquisite artifacts from the 787 that enchanted Shanghai.

The Hong Kong exhibition proudly hosts distinguished pieces, meticulously chosen from Egypt’s diverse museums, alongside precious items from the freshest finds unearthed in the hallowed grounds of Saqqara.

These artifacts span the myriad epochs of ancient Egyptian civilization, featuring colossal stone effigies. Among them stands the most monumental artifact ever showcased since the Palace Museum’s opening: a majestic statue of the mighty King Merneptah, weighing a formidable 1.8 tons and soaring to a height of approximately 2.4 meters.

Yet, the very heart of this collection is the enchanting statue of the Boy King, Tutankhamun. Standing sentinel, regal and serene, within a dedicated gallery celebrating the Amarna era, he is a testament to the timeless beauty of ancient Egyptian artistry, its meticulous precision, and the vibrant hues whose echoes still linger. This section also unveils a striking bust of Akhenaten and a beautiful, albeit incomplete, visage of the iconic Queen Nefertiti, a beauty rivaled perhaps only by her famed counterpart in Berlin.

These grand exhibitions, whether in Hong Kong or Shanghai, serve to profoundly deepen the cultural bonds between Egypt and China. This is a timely convergence as both nations prepare to commemorate seven decades of diplomatic kinship. Indeed, these showcases stand as magnificent bridges, spanning distances and fostering profound intercultural dialogue.

Amjad Refai is the director of Arabic Programme at the University of Hong Kong