​In line with  its strategy to support young talents and promote fine artistic activities, the Commercial International Bank (CIB) – Egypt sponsored the celebration of the International Museums Day in Egypt, during which best activities and talents in the various disciplines of the museum field were honored. CIB’s sponsorship of this celebration is the first of its kind in the Egyptian banking sector, which solidifies the Bank’s leadership in the market and proves its distinguished community development role.

The celebration, organized by the Egyptian National Committee of the International Council of Museums (ICOM Egypt) in association with the Ministry of Antiquities, was held in the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Fustat on May 18th. During this special event, awards were granted under the auspices of CIB to distinguished young teams and calibers in recognition of their outstanding contributions in the different disciplines related to the museum field.

The restoration award was given to the restoration department of the Manuscripts Museum of the Alexandria Bibliotheca and the restoration laboratory of organic materials at the Grand Egyptian Museum. As for the museum display award, it was granted to the Postal Museum of the Ministry of Communications and to Ahmed Shawky Museum of the Ministry of Culture. Besides, managers of the Modern Art Museum at the Faculty of Fine Arts at Minya University, Suez Museum and Talaat Harb Museum received the best Egyptian museum managers award in 2015. Moreover, the community outreach awards were granted to the “Simulation of Excavations” exhibition at Suez Museum, the “Magic Carpet” exhibition at the Child Center for Civilization and Creativity, the museum education and training department at Alexandria National Museum and Ismailia Museum for organizing national and community celebration, in addition to the “Good Old Time” exhibition at the Coptic Museum; whose team, in a humanitarian gesture, donated the prize value to the Magdi Yacoub Heart Foundation in Aswan.

The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Antiquities Dr. Mamdouh Al-Damaty and ICOM Egypt Head Dr. Hussein Al-Shaboury.

It is worth mentioning that beginning next year, the award package will change. The competition will be open to the public, with the criteria to be based on group projects that are related to the arts, innovative, creative, and are tackled with a scientific approach. The outcome of the competition will be the increase of museum’s visitors and strengthen the social communication and Egyptian culture identity and promote the artwork in museums across the country.