site.btaBulgarian Musicians among Performers at Grand Egyptian Museum Opening Ceremony

Violinist and long-time concertmaster of the Cairo Opera House Tsvetelina Krasteva and principal trumpet of the Cairo Opera Orchestra Dimitar Dimitrov were among the musicians performing in the orchestra for the inauguration of the Grand Egyptian Museum on Saturday evening. Ekaterina Katracheva took part as a member of the choir, which brought together performers from nearly 80 countries for the occasion.

Under the baton of renowned Egyptian conductor Nayer Nagui, the musicians performed a specially composed work by Hesham Nazih, the award-winning composer behind the Pharaohs' Golden Parade and Marvel Studios’ Moon Knight.

The event, titled Message of Peace, took place less than a month after the Gaza peace summit in Sharm El Sheikh and once again united world leaders.

Bulgarian President Rumen Radev, accompanied by First Lady Desislava Radeva, attended the ceremony at the invitation of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who officially inaugurated the museum.

Speaking to the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA), Tsvetelina Krasteva said: "The project is unique because it brought together musicians from 79 countries to send the message that historical heritage belongs to all humanity and to call for unity and peace."

Trumpeter Dimitar Dimitrov said: "Some of the best musicians in the world are here. It is amazing to play with them. The music is beautiful and enjoyable to perform. It is film music, easy to sing along to. And as we know, Verdi was loved because his operas made people want to sing along."

The epic performance recreated key moments and figures from ancient Egyptian history through music, dance, video projections, fireworks, and special effects. Artifacts from Tutankhamun’s treasure, including the famous gold mask of the young pharaoh, illuminated the night sky in a stunning display with hundreds of drones.

The Tutankhamun Hall is the centerpiece of the Grand Egyptian Museum. For the first time since their discovery in the Valley of the Kings in 1922, around 5,000 artifacts will be displayed together in one place. The original Tutankhamun Hall at the Egyptian Museum on Tahrir Square was closed on October 20 to allow for the transfer of the antiquities to the new museum.

The Grand Egyptian Museum closed to the public on October 15 to allow for preparations and rehearsals for the opening ceremony. It will reopen to visitors on November 4, coinciding with the 103rd anniversary of the discovery of the boy king's tomb.