Egypt Commemorates 118th Anniversary of Heliopolis

Baron Empain palace's in Heliopolis. (Shutterstock)
Baron Empain palace's in Heliopolis. (Shutterstock)
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Egypt Commemorates 118th Anniversary of Heliopolis

Baron Empain palace's in Heliopolis. (Shutterstock)
Baron Empain palace's in Heliopolis. (Shutterstock)

Egypt held weeklong celebrations to mark the 118th anniversary of Heliopolis, or New Egypt, one of the capital Cairo’s most famous neighborhoods.

During Heliopolis Week, the ministries of tourism and communications organized a cultural and arts festival at the Granada Palace to highlight historic events from the neighborhood.

Heliopolis was established by Belgian Baron Édouard Empain in 1905 after the “Heliopolis Oases Company”, currently known as the “Heliopolis Company”, signed a contract to construct a railway line linking the Cairo city center to New Egypt. Empain began building the neighborhood over an area of 25 square kilometers and he later named it Heliopolis.

In a speech at a festival marking the end of Heliopolis Week on Thursday, Ahmed Issa, minister of Tourism and Antiquities, said: “New Egypt was born in the Cairo desert and it boasts several unique breathtaking sights, such as castles, gardens and places of worship.”

Cairo enjoys unique tourism characteristics that can transform it into one of the world’s greatest tourism cities, he stressed.

The Baron Empain palace is a major historic building in Heliopolis, a landmark, and a tourist attraction in the Egyptian capital, he noted.

In 2020, the Egyptian government opened the palace after renovation and development, and turned it into a museum that highlights the history of Heliopolis.

Built by the Barron on Salah Salem street on an area of 12,500 square meters, the palace dates back to 1911. French Architect Alexander Marcel was inspired from the Angkor Wat temple in Cambodia, and the Odisha Hindu temples.

Empain lived in the palace, whose belongings were auctioned in the early 1950s. It remained neglected until its ownership was transferred to the Egyptian culture ministry in 2007. Its renovation was completed in 2020.

The Heliopolis Heritage Foundation organized Heliopolis Week under the sponsorship of different government agencies. The festival was aimed at “putting Heliopolis on the tourism map,” according to officials at the ministry of antiquities and tourism.

The festival included seminars and panel discussions about the history of Heliopolis, and how to revive historic buildings and areas to boost tourism. It also included art exhibitions that highlighted the history of the neighborhood.

Issa said these activities “help shed light on the historic and touristic landmarks in Egypt,” noting recent renovations and restorations in several regions that will help boost the sector.

Egypt plans to attract 30 million foreign tourists by 2028 through the National Tourism Strategy that calls for developing aviation and improving the quality of services in the tourism sector.

Issa had previously revealed tourism to Egypt had grown by 43 percent in the first three months of 2023 compared with the same period last year. Fifteen million tourists are expected by the end of the year.



Ministry of Culture to Host Saudi Cultural Week in Osaka

Ministry of Culture to Host Saudi Cultural Week in Osaka
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Ministry of Culture to Host Saudi Cultural Week in Osaka

Ministry of Culture to Host Saudi Cultural Week in Osaka

The Ministry of Culture will host Saudi Cultural Week in Osaka, Japan, from July 12 to 15, 2025, at Expo Gallery EAST.

The event highlights the "Year of Handicrafts 2025" as a key aspect of Saudi cultural heritage, showcasing the quality and creativity of Saudi handmade products to the Japanese and international communities. It also coincides with the celebration of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Kingdom and Japan, SPA reported.

Taking part in the event are the Heritage Commission, the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts (Wrth), and the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Global Center for Arabic Calligraphy, each presenting a series of interactive activities that celebrate Saudi heritage and reflect its rich cultural depth and historical roots.

The King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives (Darah) will showcase photographic content that highlights the historical and cultural ties between the Kingdom and Japan.

The Saudi Pavilion at Expo 2025 will feature over 700 cultural activities, offering visitors an immersive experience of the Kingdom’s rich heritage. It will also showcase Saudi Arabia’s efforts in sustainability and national transformation through creative, informative presentations that reflect its traditions, progress, and future vision.

The Saudi Cultural Week in Osaka is part of a series of cultural weeks regularly organized by the Ministry of Culture to promote international cultural exchange.

The event aims to deepen cultural ties between the Kingdom and Japan, foster connections between their peoples, and open new avenues for international collaboration in creative fields, contributing to the global presence and influence of Saudi culture.