A New Chapter for Papyrus Unfolds at This Egyptian Museum Exhibit

At the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir, the exhibition ‘From Green Papyrus to Timeless Art’ resurrects an ancient medium for writing through the work of 80 local and international artists. The installation was organised over the past year by the World Art Forum for Development Foundation (WAFDF), and supported by UNESCO. The artists representing Egypt work across a number of media and genres, like Alaa Abu Al-Hamad, an award-winning contemporary creative whose work is inspired by the landscapes and ancient heritage of Upper Egypt. His papyrus canvas hung front and centre upon entry to the exhibition’s long hall. Randa Fouad, the founder and president of WAFDF, highlighted the organisation’s commitment to the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals, spanning areas such as education, gender equality, sustainable communities, and environmental protection. “Our organisation is the only organisation that merges art with the sustainable development goals,” Fouad said. “We have always been deeply committed to growing the creative economy in a way that is inclusive, accessible, and climate conscious.” “We want to communicate a message of sustainability and continuity, bringing the past and present together - whether through the medium we paint on or through the ideas depicted on it, which are inspired by ancient Egyptian civilisation in this historic setting, the Old Egyptian Museum," Dr. Ali AbdelHalim, Director General of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, adds. The exhibition is the fruit of a 2024 initiative, developed through fieldwork, artistic practice, and research aimed at restoring papyrus to its rightful place, honouring the craft, and re-establishing its function as an artistic medium. Through an open call inviting Egyptian and international artists, a new body of contemporary papyri was created, now displayed alongside the original treasures within the halls of the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir, home to some of the most significant papyri crafted by ancient Egyptian ancestors. Each papyrus in this exhibition thus stands as a testament to the enduring potential of this ancient material, reborn in the hands of contemporary artists, offering a sustainable artistic experience that bridges heritage and modern creativity while highlighting the project’s global dimension. “Cyperus papyrus is not just a botanical species," Dr. Nuria Sanz, Director of UNESCO Regional Office for Egypt and Sudan, says. "It's a part of the written history of humanity, and is a very substantial part of the connection between cultures all over the world over an enormous period of time.” ‘From Green Papyrus to Timeless Art’ will run between December 2nd and 6th daily from 9am to 5pm.