São Paulo – Program East West of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) is bringing exhibition "Kings of Egypt – Akhenaton, Tutankhamun and Ramses II", to be inaugurated on September 23rd at the Vermelha Beach University Palace, in Rio de Janeiro. The exhibition ends on September 26th. The collection to be shown includes around 20 miniature replicas and 80 images of the three dynasties of Ancient Egypt.
All the articles in the collection are personal, belonging to philosopher and Egyptologist Marisa Castello Branco, who has already travelled to Egypt 29 times and is getting ready for her 30th, in October. Marisa, who is also a professor at the UFRJ, is also a tourist guide for travel agency Abbatour and has already lost count of how many Brazilians have travelled with her. "The next caravan should include 30 passengers," she said. It was Marisa, aged 75, who set up the route and calls it the Caravan of Isis. This time, authorities in Egypt are going to honour her for her 30th trip to the country.
It was in these trips, which began in 1985, that Marisa started collecting replicas of the treasures of the Egyptian kings. Among the products to be exhibited are vases, pharaoh thrones, jewels, statues of gods and eyes of Horus, among others. In another part of the exhibition, visitors may learn a little more about the history and life of each of the Egyptian pharaohs. "The images show from the temples built, works of art, jewellery and other personal objects," said Marisa.
At the opening of the exhibition, Marisa should also give a talk about "Tutankhamun and his fabulous treasure". His tomb was one of the few found almost intact when it was opened, in 1922, still containing golden objects, fabrics, furniture and holy texts about Ancient Egypt.
After the talk, guests may see an Arab dance presentation, to take place at Dourado Hall, at UFRJ. The exhibition counts on the support of the Consulate General of Egypt to Rio de Janeiro and admittance is free.
According to Marisa, in November she is going to organize another exhibition, at Copacabana Fort, from the 17th to the 30th. "This one will be only of imported hand-painted papyruses," she said.
East West Programme
The programme is part of the UFRJ Science and Culture Forum, whose objective it is to bring countries closer together and disclose their art, history, cuisine and dance in Brazil. The programme is developed in partnership with the consulates of the subject countries and the most recent works presented were Belgium, China and Russia.
Service
Kings of Egypt – Akhenaton, Tutankhamun e Ramses II
Data: September 24th to 26th
Site: Vermelha Beach University Palace
Address: Avenida Pasteur, 250, 2nd floor
Time: 10:00 am to 9:00 pm
Tel: (+55 21) 2295-1595
*Translated by Mark Ament
