Cultural & Educational Festivities Light Up Luxor During “Pop-Up USA” & Chicago House Photo Exhibition

The US Embassy in Cairo launched a dynamic series of cultural, educational, and artistic events in Luxor as part of the “Pop-Up USA” initiative and the America250 celebrations, transforming the city’s cultural heart, from the Luxor Public Library to the Luxor Temple, into a vibrant hub of exchange and community engagement.

The Luxor Public Library hosted a special exhibition featuring 30 historic photographs from Chicago House, showcasing three decades of US government investment in preserving Egypt’s cultural heritage.

Since its establishment in 1924 as the field base of the University of Chicago’s Oriental Institute, Chicago House has worked extensively to document and conserve ancient Egyptian monuments and inscriptions.

The exhibition also highlighted the work of the survey team led by Dr. Jay Brett McClain, who joined the mission in 1998 and now heads a multidisciplinary group of archaeologists, artists, photographers, and conservators. McClain is scheduled to deliver a public lecture on December 7, the first major program hosted by the newly inaugurated American Corner.

The American Center Cairo (ACC) presented a wide range of free educational tools, including the digital library, eLibraryUSA, and the Libby app, while hosting interactive activities for visitors of all ages in celebration of America250.

The booth also introduced the Luxor American Corner, a new hub designed to support professional development, English-language learning, and educational guidance for Upper Egyptian communities.

The Embassy’s Exchange Programs team offered extensive information on academic and cultural exchange opportunities available to students, teachers, and professionals. These programs strengthen leadership skills and foster deeper mutual understanding between Egyptians and Americans.

The Regional English Language Office (RELO) provided teacher workshops on integrating TOEFL-aligned skills into classroom curricula, supporting educators’ development and improving student performance.

The team also shared details about further opportunities for teachers, university students, and professionals to enhance their English proficiency and academic experience.

At the EducationUSA booth, students and parents received comprehensive guidance on university admissions, scholarships, and athletic grants in the United States, along with information on the free advisory services available throughout the application process.

Near the Luxor Public Library, the Embassy organized youth football activities led by local coaches. Dozens of children practiced their skills and competed in friendly challenges, receiving symbolic prizes at the end, highlighting sports as a tool for connection and development.

The Alumni Pavilion showcased stories from Egypt’s community of over 27,000 US exchange program alumni, with a special focus on Luxor-based graduates contributing to heritage protection, education, and community development. 

Visitors also learned how to benefit from the network’s broad professional opportunities.

The day concluded with a spectacular concert at Luxor Temple, featuring American singer Samantha Takes, the Cairo Big Band Society, and Egyptian artist Ahmed El Haggar.

Set against one of Egypt’s most breathtaking archaeological sites, the show highlighted the interactive spirit of American music, especially jazz and big-band styles, and brought to life a vivid example of cultural exchange between Egypt and the United States. Tickets were free with prior registration.

In her keynote speech during the evening ceremony, the US Ambassador Herro Mustafa Garg expressed deep appreciation for Luxor’s hospitality and cultural significance: “It is a true honor to be here in Luxor, the city that embodies the remarkable achievements of the Egyptian people, and to celebrate alongside you, with the magnificent Luxor Temple behind me.”

The ambassador congratulated the people of Luxor on the city’s national day, describing the ancient capital as not only a national treasure but also a global beacon of heritage and a fitting place to begin the United States’ 250th-anniversary celebrations.

She thanked the Governor of Luxor, the Ministry of Culture, and all partners who contributed to organizing the event, emphasizing, “The US is proud to be a partner to Egypt. We are working toward a future of peace, stability, and shared prosperity.”

One of the day’s major milestones was the official opening of Upper Egypt’s first American Corner, established at the Luxor Public Library: “With the support of the governor, the library, and our embassy team, we accomplished this in under a year. When we mentioned the idea, the governor simply said one word: ‘Done.’ And it happened.”

The Ambassador also thanked Chicago House and Dr. Brett McClain for over a century of collaboration in heritage preservation, noting that building bridges between peoples is the essence of the U.S.–Egypt partnership.

She closed with a message of shared values: “As we gather tonight, I’m reminded that the values that unite us, freedom, opportunity, and the pursuit of a better future, are not only American; they are Egyptian too. Let us continue building bridges together.”