The world followed the phenomenon of the sun perpendicular to the temple of Abu Simbel in Luxor, southern Egypt, today, Friday, as 50 ambassadors from more than 30 countries witnessed the phenomenon from the site of the event.
The Egyptian newspaper Al-Watan said that Khaled Al-Anani, the Egyptian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, attended the moment the phenomenon occurred, along with a number of Egyptian officials, ambassadors from around the world and foreign bloggers.
The phenomenon of the sun perpendicular to the temple of Abu Simbel occurs twice a year, one on October 22 and the other on February 22 of each year.
The attendees witnessed the sun’s perpendicularity, which began at 5:52 and lasted for 20 minutes, and they were keen to take a group photo of them with the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities in front of the Nefertari Temple, while they were carrying their country’s flags in their hands.
The celebration activities began yesterday, with a lecture delivered by the Egyptian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities about the two temples of Abu Simbel, during which he addressed their history and the story of saving the Egyptian temples to build the High Dam, where more than 20 temples and shrines were moved in cooperation with UNESCO.
The minister discussed the developments in the tourism and archaeological sector in Egypt, and the steps that Egypt has taken to preserve the health and safety of citizens, tourists and workers in the sector. He also reviewed the most prominent precautionary and preventive measures and health safety controls taken by the Egyptian state in tourist and hotel facilities.
The minister stressed that the Egyptian tourist destination is safe and unique throughout the year with its unparalleled tourist and archaeological potentials, adding that Egypt offers tourists a unique tourist experience with complete safety during which they can enjoy the beaches and the wonderful climate.