Egypt straddled the divide between past and present with its 3-story “Legacy Empowering the Future” pavilion that was infused with ancient artifacts alongside state-of-the-art technologies. The exterior’s asymmetrical, modern design with large hieroglyphics on the side and a pyramid-shaped cutout entrance — which landed it somewhere between a structure of the future and an historic temple — instantly communicated the blend between the legacy of its past and an eye to the future.
Inside, the theme of duality was unrelenting. Visitors walked into a room full of transparent LED screens seemingly dripping with hieroglyphs amid sarcophagi, throne chairs, and other artifacts preserved from Ancient Egypt. The visit begins with a 15-minute guided journey by a virtual docent name Nour who promises to take attendees on an unmatched adventure where they witness how Egypt’s history and legacy is paving the way to a brighter future. The tour kicks off on a 72-foot-long, 16-foot-tall LED wall featuring a fire dancer and a hypnotic video showcasing the country’s iconic monuments such as the Great Pyramids and its geographical importance in connecting global trade via the Suez Canal. Part way through the tour, all the smaller screens that had been scrolling hieroglyphs the entire time sprang to life with the next part of the presentation, drawing attention to the artifacts (some authentic and some replica) and promoting the Grand Egyptian Museum, which is set to open in May 2022 and will be the largest in the world. Finally, the massive LED wall finishes the tour with a look at the Egypt of the future and all that it will offer.
Following the dazzling introduction, attendees, powered with excitement to discover more about the country, ascended a flight of stairs to the second floor for a self-guided tour. The level was divided into seven sections that explored the nation’s past and present culture, agricultural developments, and more, all designed to help visitors learn more about the country’s vision and goals. One of the can’t-miss highlights is the time machine, an IMAX-like journey through time (from the past to the future, of course) where groups of seated and buckled passengers are tipped and tilted through an immersive ride that they won’t soon forget.
And whenever people needed a break from the troves of information, they could take a quiet break on the third level, which featured an elegant restaurant serving the finest Egyptian foods. Egypt may have a long, rich history, but the pavilion is designed to demonstrate that the best is yet to come.
