Egypt's Consul General in New York, Ambassador Ahmed Farouk, has recently inaugurated the newly renovated Cleopatra's Needle located near the famous Metropolitan Museum of Art on the eastern edge of Central Park.
Farouk said in a press statement that he was proud to inaugurate the Egyptian obelisk in light of Egypt's interest in promoting its monuments at home and abroad. Additionally, Egypt would like to work with US authorities to support and promote Egyptian tourism among visitors of the museum, which receives approximately 42 million tourists a year.
Farouk expressed his gratitude for the efforts made by New York City and the Central Park management for the renovation of the Egyptian obelisk, stressing the need for continued care of Egyptian monuments because it is the inheritance of future generations, according to the ambassador.
The renovation of the obelisk took a year to complete. A large number of experts and archaeologists took part in the process, and modern technology was used to restore the artifact.
The renovation cost US$500,000 said the head of the park, adding that the obelisk is the oldest and one of the most important artifacts located in the park.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
