The sun illuminated the Ramses II statue in his temple in Abu Simbel Monday morning in a phenomenon that takes place on the pharaoh’s birthday and the day of his ascension to the throne on 22 February.
Ahmed Saleh Abdallah, general director for the monuments in Abu Simbel and the temples in Nubia, said the phenomenon attracted more than 1,300 tourists, who came to witness it from around the world.
He added that the tourists were keen to take photos and record videos of the event, which demonstrates the ancient Egyptians’ grasp of astronomy.
Folk dancers from Ismailia, Sharqiya, Aswan and other areas performed Sunday night and until early Monday. Aswan Governor Mostafa al-Sayed and head of the Culture Palaces Authority Saad Abdel Rahman attended the festivities.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
