To mark the New Year, the Tell Basta Museum in Sharqia and the Sharm El-Sheikh Museum in South Sinai have inaugurated two temporary archaeological exhibitions. The displays explore the concept of the "New Year" in Ancient Egyptian civilization, focusing on the philosophy of time, the cycle of life, rebirth, and renewal.
Dr. Ahmed Hamida, Head of the Egyptian Museums Sector, stated that these exhibitions are part of a broader strategy to transform museums into cultural and educational hubs. By linking modern celebrations to their deep historical roots, the sector aims to provide the public with an accessible perspective on Ancient Egyptian thought and strengthen the connection between Egyptian heritage and human identity.
Tell Basta: "Wep Renpet Nefer"
Under the title Wep Renpet Nefer, the Tell Basta Museum is hosting an exhibition that runs through late February 2026. The showcase examines the start of the year in Ancient Egypt and its vital link to the agricultural calendar and the cycles of nature.
Mr. Ibrahim Hamdy, Director General of the Tell Basta Museum, explained that the exhibition highlights the ancient festival of Wep Renpet (The Opening of the Year). This official state holiday coincided with the Nile flood and the start of the three agricultural seasons: Inundation (Akhet), Emergence (Peret), and Harvest (Shemu).
* Key Highlights: The exhibition features five bronze statues, including two of Osiris (Late Period) and two of Isis (New Kingdom and Late Period), symbolizing fertility and rebirth. It also includes a statue of the deity Bes, the ancient patron of joy and festivities.
Sharm El-Sheikh: "When Time Begins Anew"
The Sharm El-Sheikh Museum is presenting an exhibition titled When Time Begins Anew, offering a philosophical look at how Ancient Egyptians perceived the eternal cycle of death and resurrection.
Eng. Miriam Edward, General Supervisor of the Sharm El-Sheikh Museum, noted that the display focuses on Osiris as a symbol of cosmic order and the Djed Pillar as a symbol of stability. The narrative traces the connection between the Osiris myth, the Nile flood, and the New Year as a moment of cosmic re-balancing, involving deities like Isis, Horus, and Sekhmet.
Mr. Mohamed Hassanein, Director of the Sharm El-Sheikh Museum, revealed that the exhibition features 33 artifacts, many of which are being displayed for the first time.
* Notable Pieces: A gilded wooden box preceded by a figure of Osiris, a collection of Djed pillar amulets, an Osirian coffin containing a mummy, and funerary amulets.
* Symbolic Items: The "Tyet" (Knot of Isis), the White Crown (symbol of legitimacy), and various ritual vessels and "Zamzamiyat" (water flasks) from the New Kingdom and Late Period.
* Sekhmet Statues: A distinguished collection of statues dedicated to the goddess Sekhmet, who was central to New Year rituals performed to seek protection and maintain universal balance.
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