site.btaPlovdiv Archaeological Museum Hosts Egyptian Art From the Louvre

Plovdiv Archaeological Museum Hosts Egyptian Art From the Louvre

Plovdiv, Southern Bulgaria, June 18 (BTA) - On Wednesday evening
 Culture Minister Vezhdi Rashidov unveiled an exhibition at the
Plovdiv Archaeological Museum featuring a 2600-year-old statue
of an Egyptian priest and another 43 artifacts from the Louvre.
The exhibition, titled "The Louvre in Bulgaria - Meeting an
Egyptian Priest" is part of the parallel programme of the "The
Saga of the Thracian Kings - Archaeological Discoveries in
Bulgaria" exhibition currently on show at the Louvre.

 "This is the first time ancient Egyptian art is exhibited in
Bulgaria and we are happy that this is happening in Plovdiv,'
the Mayor of the city, Ivan Totev, said in his address.

The statue of the priest, dating from the 6th century BC, weighs
 700 kg and is one of the emblems of the Louvre. It has only two
 known counterparts in the world, one in London and one in a
private collection, the Director of the Egyptian Antiquities
Department at the Louvre, Vincent Rondot, said at the
presentation of the exhibition. Rondot is also the curator of
the event in Plovdiv.

France bought the statue in 1848. Other items on show include
Egyptian deities made of stone, funeral steles and papyruses
with hieroglyphics recording priestly incantations. The
exhibition will remain in Plovdiv until July 18.

 The French Ambassador here,  Xavier Lapeyre de Cabanes, noted
that France would like to avail itself of Plovdiv's status of
Europe's Cultural Capital in 2019 and to be present in this city
 over the coming years with its culture.

 Egyptian art has come to Bulgaria and this is a joy and a
success, Rashidov said. He and his French counterpart have
agreed to renew the five-year agreement for cultural exchange
between the two countries which expires in 2016. Rashidov added
he also intends to work on organizing an exhibition presenting
the Renaissance in Plovdiv.