Friday, June 17, 2011

Cairo's Cultural Highlights

By Louise Morris


No holiday to Cairo is complete, it is true, without the necessary camel trip to the Sphinx, the numerous images of vast pyramids and an exceptional boat trip up the tremendous river Nile - but that isn't all there is to this culturally dense city.Cairo is one of the world's oldest cities and reputedly one that has seen all influences of the world descend within its limits. That's why you will see architecture from many great civilizations collected in Cairo, with the land of the Pharaohs converging into a breathtaking enigma alongside echoes left by the Romans and the Greeks, amongst others.You can find out about the spectacular history of Cairo, spanning 4,000 years, through a visit to the Egyptian Museum. This timeless building, with its striking outer facade, displays more than 136,000 artefacts such as the world's largest collection of ancient Egyptian antiquities, that is a must-see for all ancient Egypt enthusiasts.

Even those with only a mild curiosity in memories of the past will find one thing to captivate at this famous museum, from artefacts brought from the very tomb of Tutankhamen - such as treasures and prized possessions - to mummified corpses of royal bodies of the New Kingdom, a display which will mesmerise and enthral both grown ups and children.But leaving the past and moving into the modern, Cairo has plenty to offer to the up to date tourist also. For example, its live music scene is one to be experienced, with cultural sounds thrumming late into the evening in bars and clubs, and those selecting the proper time to visit may coincide with the Cairo International Film Festival, a globally well-known occasion that draws thousands of stars and reaffirms Cairo's status as the cultural capital of the Arab world.

At the film festival, you can see the most recent in blockbuster and arthouse films gathered together in one place, with thousands of other spectators joining you to enjoy what's on offer at this thrilling occasion. You may even catch a glance of the celebrity or two - the festival has seen many well-known faces through the years, including Christopher Lee, Morgan Freeman, Nicolas Cage and Elizabeth Taylor.

And if you fancy taking in more of Cairo's musical scene, why not sample a memorable experience at the Cairo Opera House or the Khedivial Opera House? These stages have seen performances from world well-known talent and the highest quality operas, making them an unmissable attraction for fans.There is a lot you can do apart from the typical tourist attractions whenever you step off your flights to Cairo - just make sure you've sufficient time where to accomplish all of them!






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