|
Sat 12 Feb
The National Museum was shut for years. Apparently this was for renovation, but walking in this morning it very obviously was never the case. The latest explanation is that something was stolen and so they "shut up shop" until the culprit was found and the items returned. This is of course an interesting idea: What do the staff do in the mean time? Do they come to work as usual, or are they out there helping the police with their enquiries? And how long would they have shut for? And just what is the idea? that it would teach the collective public a lesson not to do that kind of thing again?Anyway it's time to see the national treasures. The main hall is only lightly filled. I want to ask if this is all they have but I suspect the answer will include the words "British Museum". The ceramics are interesting, especially given they are 3000 years old.
 |
| Christian frescos at the National Museum |
|
|
Upstairs is really refreshing. In a much smaller gallery is a permanent exhibition of Christian frescos. These have been masterfully rescued from the 8th-13th century churches presently at the bottom of Lake Nasser. Curiously, of all the exhibits I find these immediately likeable. I guess they remind me of the wall paintings I've seen in Ethiopia's rock-hewn churches of a similar era.
|
