First Lady Kim Tours Pyramids and Grand Egyptian Museum with Egypt's First Lady... "Cordially Invites Her to National Museum of Korea"

"I hope the Grand Egyptian Museum can collaborate with the National Museum of Korea"
Gift of 'MU:DS' merchandise
Visit to the 'Egypt Pyramid International Art Festival'

First Lady Kim Hye-kyung, who is visiting Egypt with President Lee Jae-myung, spent time fostering friendship with Intissar El Sisi, the First Lady of Egypt, on the 20th (local time). According to Deputy Spokesperson Jeon Eun-soo from the Presidential Office, after a conversation and luncheon at the Egyptian Presidential Palace, the two First Ladies visited the Grand Egyptian Museum together.

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First Lady Intissar suggested that she and Kim Hye-kyung travel together in the same vehicle to the Grand Egyptian Museum. Kim gladly accepted, and the two engaged in a friendly conversation during the approximately 40-minute drive.

The Grand Egyptian Museum was completed and opened on November 1 after 20 years of construction. It houses over 100,000 artifacts, including the golden mask of Tutankhamun and the statue of Ramses II. The Deputy Spokesperson explained that Kim Hye-kyung’s visit marks the first official visit by a foreign First Lady since the museum's opening.

First Lady Intissar emphasized that Egypt's culture, with its thousands of years of history, is a source of national pride and a shared asset of humanity, stating, "First Lady Kim’s visit holds special meaning for the Egyptian people as well." In response, Kim expressed her gratitude for the invitation extended to President Lee Jae-myung and herself to the museum’s opening ceremony earlier this month, saying, "Although I was unable to attend due to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju, it is all the more meaningful to visit together with you today."

Additionally, First Lady Intissar introduced some of Egypt’s representative cultural heritage, remarking, "Korea is also a cultural powerhouse where tradition and modernity coexist," and expressed her hope for cultural exchanges between the two countries. Kim Hye-kyung responded, "I am deeply impressed by Egypt’s vast historical and cultural heritage and its meticulous preservation efforts," and suggested pursuing future collaborative projects with the National Museum of Korea, which has recently gained great popularity.

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The two First Ladies toured the museum together for over an hour, exchanging views on the potential for cultural cooperation between their countries. Kim Hye-kyung expressed her deep gratitude for Intissar’s personal guidance and presented her with a gift consisting of the National Museum of Korea’s permanent exhibition catalog and a souvenir called 'MU:DS.'

Kim also said to Intissar, "If you visit Korea, I would like to formally invite you to the National Museum of Korea as a way to reciprocate today’s warm hospitality." Intissar shared that she was moved by the sight of many visitors at the museum welcoming and cheering for Kim Hye-kyung, and in Arabic, she said, "You have brightened this place."

Afterward, guided by Dr. Ashraf Mohie Eldin, Director of the Egyptian Pyramid Site, Kim Hye-kyung toured the pyramids, the Sphinx, and other historical sites, and viewed the work of a Korean artist participating in the 'Egypt Pyramid International Art Festival.' When Kim asked, "Korea also has many ancient statues and cultural assets. How does Egypt preserve its millennia-old heritage?" Dr. Eldin explained, "About 5,000 specialists are dedicated to the preservation of the pyramid sites," and emphasized the need for personnel and support for the conservation of world cultural heritage.

Kim Hye-kyung then visited the 'Egypt Pyramid International Art Festival.' This festival is the only international art event where artists from around the world install their works in front of the desert pyramids, under the theme of combining ancient pyramids with contemporary art and digital technology. This year, ten artists from ten countries participated, with Park Jongkyu representing Korea and exhibiting 'Code of Eternity.'

After hearing from Park and the curator that the work incorporates both the Dangun myth and messages from the pharaohs, Kim Hye-kyung expressed her gratitude, saying, "I am proud that you are representing Korea by creating art in such a unique setting as the pyramids and promoting Korean culture."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.