Exhibition: More re Australia receiving Tutankhamun

Al Ahram Weekly (Nevine El-Aref)

Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs has now been touring the globe for six years. It has already travelled around Europe and the United States, and now it will fly to Australia and descend on the Melbourne Museum to enjoy the scenic atmosphere of the Carlton Gardens.

Six months ago the director of the Sydney Museum, Frank Howarth, told the Sydney Morning Herald that the show's $10-million price tag and its size were too big for Australian institutions to handle. However, the Melbourne Museum stepped in to allow the Australian exhibition to go ahead in a joint venture with Victoria State and its major events company, the sports and entertainment management company IMG, and the Australian government.

Stephen Flint Wood, managing director of IMG Arts and Entertainment, said that bringing an exhibition that holds such historical significance throughout the world to Australia for the very first time was a great privilege. He also expressed his gratitude to the Victoria government, the Melbourne Museum, Arts Victoria and Tourism Victoria for making the event possible.