Legend of Pharaoh exhibit opens in Jakarta

Legend of Pharaoh exhibit opens in Jakarta

Tantri Yuliandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Egyptian Ambassador Mohamed El Sayed Taha opened an exhibition
called the Legend of Pharaoh at the Mangga Dua World Trade Center
in West Jakarta on Saturday.

The exhibition was held in conjunction with the fasting month
of Ramadhan to give shoppers a brief glimpse at the culture and
history of Egypt.

"The spirit of Ramadhan makes any occasion extra special and
unique. Therefore organization of the exhibition during the
Ramadhan month will add a cultural dimension to this holy month,"
Sayed Taha said in his speech.

The Legend of Pharaoh exhibition -- held until Nov. 6 on the
third floor of the Mangga Dua World Trade Center -- also received
recognition from the Indonesian Museum of Records (MURI) in the
superlative criteria for the construction of the largest replica
of a pyramid inside a shopping mall.

The whole exhibition is housed inside a replica of a 5.6-meter
high Egyptian pyramid with a 153-square-meter base, according to
Paulus Pangka from the Indonesian Museum of Records (MURI).

As they enter the pyramid, visitors are greeted by a 10-minute
video of the mummy preservation techniques employed by ancient
Egyptians, after which a replica of a mummy is displayed.

"All the pieces in the exhibit were contributed by the Embassy
of the Arab Republic of Egypt," Sayed Taha explained.

Various replicas representing part of Egypt's rich history are
also displayed, including the death mask of the boy pharaoh
Tutankhamun.

Visitors interested in seeing the exhibition are charged Rp
10,000 (about US$1) with the proceeds to be donated to orphan
children.