When Santa Meets the Desert: The Egyptian Twist on Christmas Traditions 🎅🏻🐪
How a Wholesome Encounter with an Egyptian Taxi Driver Left a Tourist’s Heart Full
Jason Statham’s Spotted In Riyadh—But Wait… Look Who’s Sitting Behind Him!
Loyal Lovin readers can support Lovin so we can continue to share the stories of all amazing cities
Minimum custom amount to enter is AED 2
By donating, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service
The Lions Of Qasr El Nil Are Getting A Makeover And It’s Making People Angry
Criticism surrounds the Lions of Qasr Al-Nil’s latest makeover..
The historic Qasr El-Nil Lions have become a hot topic among Egyptians in recent hours, sparking widespread criticism over the restoration of 21 of the statues in Cairo’s public squares. Many social media users have claimed that these archaeological statues have been obscured and painted over in an unprofessional manner.
In a statement released yesterday, the Fine Artists Syndicate expressed concerns about the maintenance work announced by the Cairo Governorate and the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, highlighting the use of rollers to paint the bronze statues, which they described as a “major mistake.” The syndicate emphasized that this method diminishes the artistic value of the statues and negatively impacts the bronze material.
In a swift response, Jamal Mustafa, head of the Islamic, Coptic, and Jewish Antiquities Sector at the Supreme Council of Antiquities, announced that he would reach out to the syndicate’s president to discuss the situation and form a technical committee to evaluate the materials used in the cleaning and restoration processes.
The Central Restoration Department confirmed that the statues are being cleaned with a specialized, neutral soap suitable for the bronze material, stressing the importance of preserving these historical landmarks, even though they are not officially registered as antiquities.
The syndicate also praised the quick response from Cairo Governor Ibrahim Saber, emphasizing the need for collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities to finalize the restoration work and return the lions to their original patina.
It’s worth noting that the Qasr Al-Nil Bridge dates back to the era of Khedive Ismail, with its construction completed in 1871, making it the first bridge to span the Nile. The four lion statues, created by the famous French artist Henri Jacob, date back to the late 19th century and have become some of the most iconic symbols of the Egyptian capital to this day.
Newsletter