Bulgarian-led project brings Black Sea artifacts to Cairo Museum

The exhibition “Egyptian Cults around the Black Sea” was unveiled at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) in Cairo to mark the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Bulgaria and Egypt.

Museum Director Eltayeb Abbas said the exhibition was special not only because of the research behind it, but also because of its message. He explained that it demonstrates how cultures have always been interconnected and how openness and exchange have shaped the world over the centuries. He added that efforts continue to preserve heritage, share knowledge, and build close relationships, CE Report quotes BTA.

The exhibition, initiated by the Bulgarian Embassy in Cairo for the anniversary, will be on display for two weeks at one of the Egyptian capital’s most popular tourist sites. The opening ceremony was attended by representatives of Egyptian institutions and the academic community, as well as diplomats and public figures.

Dr. Vesela Atanasova of the Institute of Balkan Studies with Centre of Thracology at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, and head of the project “Thrace and Egypt in the Greco-Roman World,” said she was very pleased to present the exhibition at the museum. She noted that the project validates her research to date, shows growing interest in the topic, and encourages her to continue working in this direction. She co-curated the exhibition with Prof. Laurent Bricault from the University of Toulouse III, while the design and prepress were carried out by Eli Filipova.

During the opening ceremony, Atanasova delivered a presentation on the project and the exhibition, which brings together historical artifacts from ancient cities along the Black Sea coast. The items illustrating the spread of Egyptian cults in the region are organized into seven sections by type, including epigraphic monuments, objects made of bone, terracotta and bronze, sculptures, gems and rings, as well as coins.

It is believed that the first contacts between the Black Sea coast and Ancient Egypt date back to the early first millennium BC. After the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BC and the rise of the Ptolemaic dynasty in Egypt, certain cults from the Nile Valley spread across the eastern Mediterranean and reached the Black Sea coastal regions. Over time, their Egyptian roots were complemented by Alexandrian and Greek elements, which facilitated their acceptance by local populations.

Atanasova also said that a volume from the 2024 conference “Egyptian Cults in the Balkans” is expected to be published by the end of 2026. The idea is for it to serve as the basis for a new exhibition bringing together the most significant artifacts from across the Balkan Peninsula.

The exhibition arrives in Cairo after being presented at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina in February as part of the anniversary celebrations.