Antiquities Min. to Celebrate Archaeologists’ Day at Cairo Opera House

By: Ali Abu-Dashish

CAIRO, Jan. 7 (SEE)- The Cairo Opera House will host on Monday the 14th of January 2019 a ceremony to celebrate the 13th Archaeologists’ Day in the presence of Dr. Khaled Al-Anany, Minister of Antiquities, and high-profile members of the ministry at the Grand Theatre at 6 PM.

The festivity will be commenced with a speech by Al-Anany, followed by honoring a number of figures who have contributed much to the field of archaeology in the past years including; employees of the ministry, restorers and archaeologist.

Dr. Hisham El-Laithy, Head of the Central Department of Antiquities Registration, said that amongst those whom have worked hardly in the archaeology field and restoration of Islamic and Egyptian antiquities is Dr. Nadia Loqma and the Former General Director of the Coptic Museum Prof. Philip Flets in addition to university professors including Dr. Ola Bardees, Former Dean of the Faculty of Antiquities.

Also, winners of the 2018 Dr. Zahi Hawass Award for the best excavator and restorer will be announced and granted a financial reward of EGB 15000.

The ceremony’s program includes presenting of artistic performances from the best Arabic and Traditional musical pieces, organized by the Ministry of Culture.

Annually, the festival is held on this day to remark the appointment of the first Egyptian as a Manager to the Antiquities Department after it was monopolized for years by foreigners. Such event comes as an affirmation for nationalism by Egyptian archaeologists whom have devotedly carried their work as an expression of their love and appreciation to the mother of all civilizations. Some of them have set the foundations of archaeological studies at universities for more than 100 years and others have dwelled the temples, tombs and deserts excavating the steps of ancestors to unearth discoveries that have shaken the whole world.