Abu Simbel Celebrates Solar Alignment With International Concert

For thousands and thousands of years, the temple of Abu Simbel has witnessed a legendary phenomenon, one that can only be explained through ingenuous Ancient Egyptian engineering and foresight. Twice a year, without fail, the sun shines down on Abu SImbel’s Temple of Ramses II. Twice a year, without fail, the beams of light travels down a corridor, illuminating three of the statues - representing Ramses II, Ra the Sun God and Amun, King of Gods - at the very end of it, while deliberately leaving the fourth - representing Ptah, a god associated with darkness - in the shadows.

This bi-annual event happens on every February 22nd and every October 22nd. With the next solar alignment just a few weeks away, Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities is making plans for a grander celebration than usual.

The Director-General of Nubian Antiquities has announced an international concert to accompany the cosmic event. Plans to renovate the temple to accommodate the influx of tourists and locals flocking to the scene have gone into action, including extensive cleaning procedures, required maintenance measures as well as some colour treatments to revive historic inscriptions and the overall lustre of the monument. 

Shortly following the Pharaohs’ Golden Parade and the Sphinx Avenue Parade, it seems like 2022 will continue Egypt’s national celebration of its ancient treasure. The 100th anniversary of the discovery of the tomb of King Tutankhamun is just a few months away, as well as the 200th anniversary of the deciphering of Egyptian hieroglyphics - it’s safe to say the festivities are far from over.