By Zahi Hawass When the exhibition "Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs", known as King Tut II, left Egypt it travelled first to Vienna, where it remained for a few months. Then the exhibition made its opening debut in the United States of America in Atlanta, Georgia. I wanted this exhibition to go to Atlanta because the Michael C. Carlos Museum there had generously returned the so-called mummy of Ramses I to Egypt. Bonnie Speed, the director of the museum, had accompanied the mummy of Ramses I to Egypt where he was received as a living king. I thought we could thank the museum for their generosity by presenting the exhibition in their city. I was unable to attend the Grand Opening of the Tutankhamun exhibition in Atlanta, but I later travelled there in order to give a lecture. My lecture was held in the Fox Theatre. I was amazed to learn that 4,500 people bought tickets. This is a night that I will never forget; three young girls, all of the age of nine, came to the stage after the lecture wanting autographs. One of the girls asked for a hug. This not only brought tears to my eyes, but also received a standing ovation from the crowd. Because of the close relationship between the Supreme Council of Antiquities and the staff of the Children's Museum of Indianapolis -- namely Jeff Patchen, the chief executive officer, and Jennifer Robinson, the vice-president -- I decided to send the Tutankhamun exhibition to Indianapolis after it closed in Atlanta. When the first lady of Egypt, Mrs Suzanne Mubarak decided to renovate the Suzanne Mubarak Children's Museum in Cairo, I asked her if we could use the experience of Jeff and Jennifer for this project. Patchen and Robinson are now working with us designing one of the best museums in the Middle East. In return, I decided to present the Tutankhamun exhibition in Indianapolis. The Grand Opening of "Tutankhamun: the Golden King and the Great Pharaohs" was a great success. Patchen and Robinson did an amazing job. They work well as a team, and I sincerely believe that Patchen has one of the biggest hearts ever. I saw Patchen at the opening party talking to many of the city's intellectuals. He spoke about Mrs Mubarak, how they worked closely together, and how Mrs Mubarak was keen to review every word of the museum scenario. At the opening, the organisers showed an interview filmed by ABC television with the first lady in Cairo. She spoke of her love of children. All of us appreciate her efforts. She works from the heart, not only for the children, but also for women and for peace. The most impressive part of this exhibit is how it managed to take me back to Egypt. I had never seen anything like it before. The organisers had added to the primary exposition a unique exhibition on modern Egypt with models of cafés, bazaars and furniture. They even reproduced a marriage ceremony, which impressed everyone. I was so happy to see that the New York branch of EgyptAir, the national airline, had organised a reception for everyone. For those who had never travelled to Egypt, it brought hope that one day they would experience the magic and mystery of this great country. For those who had been to Egypt, it recalled their time in the amazing city of Cairo and awoke a desire to return. In Cairo, people can attend wedding ceremonies and watch football matches in a café while smoking a water pipe and drinking Turkish coffee. The exhibition on modern Egypt was great. It accompanied the primary exhibition of King Tutankhamun, which presented outstanding photos of the discovery of the Pharaoh's tomb and made everyone feel as if they were there. I was so impressed that I invited John Norman, the president of Arts and Exhibitions International, to see Howard Carter's rest house in Luxor, which I am transforming into a museum. It will focus on the lives of Carter and Lord Carnarvon, and will be open to the public in November of this year. Everyone in Indianapolis fell in love with King Tut. The manager of the Conrad Hotel, for example, was keen to welcome the Egyptian delegation. He organised a warm welcome for us at the hotel and invited all of us to dinner. I then attended a press conference, which was amazing, and I was surprised to be invited to a black tie event where I signed several copies of my books. A young boy of about eight years old came to see me. He held in his hand a letter that I had written to him in response to his own fan letter in which he asked how he could become a good archaeologist. The Pharaoh captured the hearts of the people of Indiana and of the children who came to see the exhibition. No one ever dreamt that the Golden Boy would visit this beautiful town.
