On the 18th of April “The American University in Cairo Press” in coordination with Samih Sawiris cordially invited to celebrate Dr. Zahi Hawass’ publication “A Secret Voyage” at “The Embassy of Knowledge”, Bibliotheca Alexandrina in El Gouna.
Dr. Zahi Hawass, Secretary General of the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities, is probably the world's most famous Egyptologist. The magnificent, hand bound, black silk cover edition “A Secret Voyage” (400 pages with 166 high-resolution images, size 50 cm x 35 cm, 10 kg in weight, selling for 4400 USD) chronicles the stories of his discoveries and explorations, illustrated with outstanding images by Sandro Vannini. Each of the 750 limited edition art quality books is signed by Sandro Vannini and Dr. Hawass.

Welcome speech by Mark Linz, Director of AUC Press.

After that Sandro Vannini, the internationally acclaimed Italian photographer living in Cairo and Rome, said that his photos are not illustrating but complimenting the text of Dr. Hawass and that the book was designed to be a voyage expressed in both text and images.

Dr. Zahi Hawass was most certainly the star of the evening. The book starts when the 20 year old Hawass was guided by a sheikh to the tomb of Seti I and is a captivating journey through the world of the Theban Necropolis up until 2007. The presentation was exciting and highly enjoyable and finished off with a discussion about his engagement to return Egyptian antiquities from foreign museums and the project of building a wall around the Giza Plateau. He announced the opening of a „Museum of History“  in Hurghada, opening 2012 and mentioned that there are discussions with the founder of El Gouna, Samih Sawiris for opening another museum in El Gouna.

Mr. Samih Sawiris, the Italian Honorary Vice Consul Sig. Alberto Barattini and most of El Gouna’s notables were present at this interesting event.

El Gouna Beverages kindly catered with their newest wines.

For more information on the discoveries of Dr. Hawass please visit: www.drhawass.com