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.