Cairo: Jasour – News Desk
The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Fustat organized a number of free guided tours in sign language, along with a variety of educational and artistic activities and workshops for visitors of all age groups, including adults, youth, children, and individuals with special needs.
This initiative is in line with the directives of the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Sherif Fathy, to pay attention to individuals with special needs, integrate them into society, and enhance the role of the ministry and its affiliated entities in raising tourism and archaeological awareness among citizens. It aims to enrich their knowledge about the importance of tourism and the heritage and civilization of their country, thus building a generation conscious of their nation’s values and history and instilling a sense of belonging.
Dr. El-Tayeb Abbas, Executive President of the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, stated that the museum is keen on organizing these guided tours and activities to fulfill its community role and spread cultural and archaeological awareness among all segments of society, introducing them to the rich history and civilization of Egypt. He noted that involving individuals with special needs in these events stems from the museum’s belief in their important role and their exceptional abilities, ensuring they enjoy their rights to know their country’s history and civilization.
On her part, Firouz Fikry, Deputy Head of the Museum for Administration and Operations, mentioned that the museum is celebrating this day in conjunction with Egypt and the world’s celebrations of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which falls on December 3rd each year, to increase awareness of disability issues and ensure their rights and community awareness.
The museum has also ensured all necessary preparations by providing all needed facilities for individuals with special needs, including wheelchairs, special areas, and easy access to the museum, ensuring a comprehensive and enjoyable visiting experience. She added that the museum also conducted an interactive experience for visitors using augmented reality technology on Instagram for a selected group of prominent artifacts displayed in the museum. This was made possible using an Instagram filter recently launched by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities in collaboration with Meta to enhance visitors’ experiences at the museum.
Dr. Nashwa Gaber, Deputy Head of the Museum for Archaeological Affairs, said that the guided tours organized included introducing visitors to the unique artifacts of the museum, which narrate the history of Egyptian civilization over the ages. This also included a tour of the open area of the museum overlooking Ain Cairo Lake. Additionally, a series of artistic and educational workshops, as well as storytelling sessions in the museum’s public library, were conducted, where visitors learned about stories of ancient Egypt and children’s stories.
It is worth mentioning that the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization received the Accessibility Certificate for Persons with Special Needs from the World Disability Union in Sharjah in 2022. This certificate is awarded to institutions with environmental accessibility that allow visits by individuals with special needs and enable them to participate in the museum’s activities and events.
