More re lighting on Luxor's West Bank

Al Ahram Weekly (Nevine El-Aref)

THE NEW lighting system on the west bank of the Nile in Luxor is in operation, providing a dramatic view of the famous monuments in the area, Nevine El-Aref reports.

The night landscape on the west bank has totally changed. Visitors to the historical Upper Egyptian city of Luxor have a view of Hatshepsut's Temple, the Valleys of the Kings and Queens and the Tombs of the Nobles as they enjoy an evening stroll along the Corniche on the east bank of the river.

The lights were installed with a budget of LE56 millions provided by the Ministry of Culture, the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), Egypt's Sound and Light Organisation and the foremost French lighting company, Architecture Lumière, which was chosen from several international lighting organisations. The consortium has installed 922 lighting units in various locations on the mountains of the west bank, offering a new service to Luxor's visitors.

Zahi Hawass, secretary-general of the SCA, said that the aim of the project was to preserve the tombs and temples on the west bank.