This week the Egyptian Museum launched a programme to teach Egyptians about their ancient history. Nevine El-Aref goes to class Outside the rose-coloured neo-classical Egyptian Museum over 50 people gathered excitedly on Saturday to attend the opening of a new archaeological school for adults. The students were welcomed by the Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) Zahi Hawass, who explained briefly about the school's courses on Egyptian history, architecture, daily and religious life of their ancestors as well as art and language. "It will be an exciting journey through Ancient Egyptian history," said Hawass. He said that the classes will not only comprise lectures supplemented with slide shows, but will also include a number of field trips to various archaeological sites in Cairo and Giza representing the three great Pharaonic kingdoms. This is in addition to a trip around the museum itself to allow students to become familiar with Pharaonic styles of art. "It's really a challenge," said Leila Iskandar, a 50-year-old English teacher. "I have spent all my life trying to learn about my wonderful past and heritage without success and now the school has reignited my interest," Iskandar told Al-Ahram Weekly. In front of the Mariette Mausoleum on a marble bench sits Nadia, a housewife, who looks like she is already starting to read up on material for her archaeology class. She is holding a notebook and pen while she takes in her surroundings. "I am very excited. I will finally be able to delve into the Pharaohs' mysterious life and learn more about the process of mummification." 74- year-old Isis El-Nakawadi says people will think she is crazy, that an old person like herself should not be attending the classes. She is convinced, however, that education is important regardless of age. "It is very important to educate people about their history. It is a shame that foreigners know more about our ancient history that we do," she says. Ali Radwan, professor of Ancient Egyptian civilisation at Cairo University who will be teaching these students about the development of Pharaonic art, describes the school as being "very important for a country like Egypt, a country with a huge amount of antiquities". He went on to add that giving Egyptians a clear understanding of their history, "will prevent ancient treasures from being lost or smuggled illegally out of the country. This kind of conservation can only be established through a strong archaeological and cultural awareness among Egyptians. If a person realises the historical significance and value of a small ancient block, he will be more inclined to prevent it from being destroyed," Radwan told the Weekly. The aim of the programme, therefore, is to provide a direct link between the people with the monuments and artefacts that comprise their history. Mohamed Saleh, former director- general of the Egyptian Museum and one of the teachers involved in the programme, described the school as "a dream come true". Saleh told the Weekly that, "I have always believed that the museum must play a major role in disseminating archaeological awareness among the public." Egyptology Professor Samia El-Malah, head of the committee that oversees the school, explained that the adult school was in fact the idea of Minister for Culture Farouk Hosni, in emulation of a similar school at the Louvre in Paris. For LE500 per person, people can attend classes and learn about various aspects of the Pharaonic civilisation. The classes are held four times a week for six months. This may seem like a small sum to many, but it is still out of reach for many ordinary Egyptians. Some people, like Osama Moris, an English teacher who heard about the course on television, complains that four times a week is a lot for the average working person. Director-General of the Egyptian Museum Mamdouh El- Damatti argues, however, that the number of hours for the classes per week is ideal. "If it is less than the scheduled eight hours per week the course would be useless," he said. The aim is not just to educate adults either. Curator Elham Salah, head of museological education, added that next week the winter children's school, which will run for three hours a day on the weekends, will be open for children between the ages of six and 16. The children's summer school is a continuation of a programme which began this summer in which 200 children participated. These were divided into two groups and given tours of the museum. There was a lot of drawing and playing with clay and the children produced replicas of Pharaonic ushabti figures (small wooden statues). "The best piece of art will be exhibited at the museum and the child who sculpted it will be given a prize," said Salah. A programme for children with special needs will also be available soon. "It is about time that our children and adults become as excited about Ancient Egypt as their compatriots abroad are. This programme should help get that process in motion," said Hosni.
