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Travel back in time with this exhibit at the Australian Museum in Sydney.

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Overview

In the mood for some historical immersion? Feeling jealous of all your mates gallivanting around the ancient ruins in South America? Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru may be the perfect antidote. 

The Australian Museum will host this informative and immersive exhibition, which opens on Saturday, November 23 for a limited time. The exhibition will feature sensory displays, projections, video and artefacts showcasing the rich history of Peru, one of the world’s most captivating ancient civilisations. Plus, there is even a Virtual Reality add-on option available that takes you on a virtual flythrough of Machu Picchu.

Beyond getting an insight into the lives, spirituality and achievements of the Andean people, you’ll come face to face with over 130 ancient artefacts. Yes, 130. Think jewellery, funerary objects from royal tombs and an impressive gold collection. Ancient Peru looks practically brand new. 

For a small extra fee, why not add on the Virtual Reality experience? Pop on a headset and immerse yourself in the wonders of Machu Picchu without even having to get on a plane. Now a popular tourist destination, Machu Picchu is also the pinnacle of Incan engineering. Basking in its incredible prowess (from the comfort of your 360-degree motion chair) is an easy way to immerse yourself in the peak of a civilisation gone by. 

And for those who don’t mind a little bit of friskiness, there is a small section showcasing erotic ceramic artefacts that illustrate the Andean fascination with natural life cycles, birth and death. 

The exhibition is in Australia for a limited time only. Get in quick, tickets are on sale now. 

Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru is taking place at the Australian Museum, 1 William St, Sydney. For more information and to book, visit the website.

Are you a notorious bookworm who grew up with the Harry Potter books? It must be frustrating that Harry Potter exhibitions are usually held abroad.

But now, you don’t have to travel far to experience the magic. Harry Potter: Visions of Magic is coming to Resorts World Sentosa starting 22 Nov 2024. One thing’s for sure, I can’t wait to immerse myself in the wizarding world and relive the enchantment of Hogwarts!

The Harry Potter exhibition will be held at the Forum located at level B1 of Resorts World Sentosa. For more information on how to get there, visit the official Harry Potter: Visions of Magic Singapore website.

This is the first time that the exhibition is coming to Asia. Immerse yourself in live and interactive projections. Visit iconic sites from the films like the Knight Bus, Ministries of Magic, Knockturn Alley, and the Room of Requirement. Experience what it is like to wield a magic wand, revealing different parts of the environment around you.

The Harry Potter exhibition will be open daily from 11am to 10pm. Slots are available every 30 minutes, and the last entry to the exhibition is at 9pm.

Ticket prices start from S$39 for children aged 4 to 12. For those who are 13 years old and above, the ticket starts from S$49. The experience lasts about 60 minutes, but once you enter the exhibition, there is no time limit for you to complete it. So, take your time to enjoy the different sections.

Pre-sale for the tickets start on 5 Nov 2024. So don’t miss out on your chance to experience this once-in-a-lifetime moment. Click here to book your tickets now!

If you are a corporate entity or school intending to book tickets, please send an email to [email protected].

This magical immersive experience includes two Singapore-exclusive environments

The Potterverse is casting a blanket of magic across Singapore, with the Asian debut of Harry Potter: Visions of Magic finally happening at Resorts World Sentosa this November 22 after almost a whole year of anticipation. Using some of the best light and sound effects, this interactive experience will apparate you right into the wonderful Wizarding World, allowing you to interact with each scene that comes to life before your very eyes. 

When does ‘Harry Potter: Visions of Magic’ open in Singapore?

Harry Potter: Visions of Magic is officially opening its grand doors to muggles in Singapore on November 22, 2024, and will be running for an unspecified period of time. We’ll update this space with the end date of the exhibition once information on that is made available.

How to buy tickets for this Harry Potter exhibition at Sentosa

To get first dibs on tickets, sign up for the pre-sale waitlist via the event’s official website. The pre-sale stars on November 5 at 10am, and ends on November 7 at 11.59pm – fastest fingers first. The general sale starts on November 8 at 10am and you can make your purchase on Ticketmaster.

Ticket prices for ‘Harry Potter: Visions of Magic’ in Singapore

Prices for tickets vary depending on the time of your visit. Those aged 13 and above will be considered part of the adult category, where entry fees are priced at $49 (off-peak), $59 (peak), and $69 (super peak). For children aged four to 12, tickets will cost $39, $49, and $59 for the respective categories.

Do note that the stated prices exclude a $4 booking fee.

Which are the 10 zones in ‘Harry Potter: Visions of Magic’?

The multimedia exhibition takes you through 10 immersive themed zones, each one bringing to life an iconic scene from the Harry Potter movies that we all know and love. Though the pop-up has also been in other places like Germany and Brussels, we lucky Lion City dwellers get to enjoy two additional Singapore-exclusive areas.

The 10 themed zones are:

1. The Knight Bus
2. Grimmauld Place
3. Ministries of Magic
4. The Hall of Prophecy
5. The Chamber of Secrets (Singapore-exclusive)
6. Newt’s Menagerie
7. Knockturn Alley
8. The Room of Requirement
9. The Trap Door (Singapore-exclusive)
10. The Pensieve

Will there be Butterbeer and food?

There will indeed be Butterbeer available for purchase at Harry Potter: Visions of Magic,  However, there hasn’t been any mention of food or snacks so far, so you might want to fill your tummy first before heading in. Check out the gorgeous 1-Flowerhill which just opened its doors this year, or browse our ultimate guide to Sentosa to see what sort of food options are available in the vicinity.

Will there be a Harry Potter merchandise store?

Yes, there will be a merch corner with official Harry Potter goods such as apparel, Potter-themed lifestyle items, and other souvenirs. Since the festive season is coming up, this will also be the perfect opportunity to shop for Christmas gifts for a loved one.

Can I cosplay at the event?

No restrictions on outfits have been mentioned, so feel free to don a Hogwarts wizard cape and come dressed up as your favourite Potterverse character.

For more information, check out the Harry Potter: Visions of Magic website.

NEON, a global experience entertainment company, and Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences have announced that Harry Potter: Visions of Magic will open at its first venue in Asia on 22 November.

The interactive art experience will open at Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore following successful showings across Europe. This will be the largest iteration of the experience to date and will feature two new environments.

The waitlist for this highly-anticipated attraction is now open and early booking is advised. Tickets are priced from $39 for guests aged 4 to 12, and $49 for guests aged 13 and over.

Unique experience for Singapore

Harry Potter: Visions of Magic is a self-guided exploration of the wizarding world’s most mysterious locations. Visitors will experience creative and immersive environments inspired by intriguing sites such as the Ministries of Magic, Newt’s Menagerie, and Pensieve.

The installations combine interactive video content, dramatic architecture, and creative soundscapes to offer astonishing multi-sensory experiences. Visitors are invited to use a wand to illuminate their surroundings and reveal magical visions that bring the experience to life.

The adventure features 10 environments, including two that will launch in Singapore. This version of Visions of Magic offers a unique experience with whispers of Parseltongue in The Chamber of Secrets and a series of rooms protecting a legendary treasure beyond The Trap Door.

Each step reveals a new aspect of the wizarding world, with endless opportunities for exploration and participation. The experience is designed to spark curiosity and reward the sense of wonder in each visitor, from discovering the mysteries of the Black family tree at Grimmauld Place to travelling across time in a swirling pool of memories in The Pensieve.

The 10 environments include:

• • The Knight Bus. Visitors start their adventure with a thrilling ride on the Knight Bus through London’s busy streets. While riding the triple-decker bus through the city, they can take photos in the iconic bunks and learn about Harry Potter’s own ride on the Knight Bus.
  • Grimmauld Place. The bus takes guests to No. 12, Grimmauld Place, a hidden mansion guarded by powerful charms and spells. Here, they will explore the Black family’s ancestral home and use their wand to interact with the family tree and flickering fireplace.
  • Ministries of Magic. The Ministry includes interactive projections and a multimedia centrepiece, transporting visitors to historic wizarding ministries in Paris, London, and New York. Visitors will use their wands to find enchanting surprises.
  • The Hall of Prophecy. Guests will explore the hall, which contains a seemingly unlimited number of prophecies, and explore a mirrored room with luminous orbs where their wands will unlock future whispers.
  • The Chamber of Secrets. This setting, which is unique to Singapore, transports visitors into the lair of an ancient Basilisk, deep under Hogwarts. It’s a voyage into the unknown, full of obstacles and hidden mysteries.
  • Newt’s Menagerie. Guests will experience the world of fantastic beasts in their native environments with this incredible suitcase. The beautiful projections bring each scene to life, from the Nifflers’ den to the Grindylows in Black Lake. The guests’ wands will make Newt’s notes and sketches come alive.
  • Knockturn Alley. Visitors will explore the mysterious Knockturn Alley to discover secret surprises and strange characters. This interactive environment depicts some of the spookiest areas from the Wizarding World.
  • The Room of Requirement. This hidden room appears only when needed most, and contains intriguing items and mysterious surprises in the towers of ordinary objects that reach to the ceiling.
  • The Trap Door. This Singapore-exclusive environment offers guests access to chambers that protect the Philosopher’s Stone. Each chamber symbolises a unique problem faced by the three, with opportunities for wand interaction.
  • The Pensieve. In this 360-degree immersive experience, visitors will travel through a whirlpool of memories on a bizarre trip through important events in Harry’s story.

Visions of Magic is designed for visitors of all ages, whether discovering the magic of Harry Potter for the first time or visiting as a lifelong fan. The environments are ideal for capturing memorable moments, making it a must-see experience for families and friends.

The exhibition’s shop is located at the heart of the experience and offers a choice of bespoke gifts and official Harry Potter products which cater to both fans and collectors. Visitors can also sample the legendary wizarding world beverage, Butterbeer, a creamy, frothy drink, which is the perfect way to end a magical adventure.

NEON recently celebrated the success of its Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs at the Australian Museum. A report by Inform Economics has ranked the show as one of the most successful museum exhibitions in the history of New South Wales (NSW), in terms of both economic impact and visitor numbers.

The immersive, indoor exhibition debuted in Germany in 2023.

The highly-anticipated Harry Potter-themed attraction Harry Potter: Visions Of Magic is officially opening on Nov 22 at Resorts World Sentosa.

Harry Potter: Visions of Magic lets you explore some of the most mysterious corners of the wizarding world through artistic and immersive environments. These include the Ministry Of Magic, Grimmauld Place and the Hall Of Prophecy.

There’ll be 10 environments for you to wander around in, including two Singapore-exclusive ones: The Trap Door and the Chamber Of Secrets.

1. THE KNIGHT BUS

Begin your experience by calling the Knight Bus, and journey through the bustling streets of London. As the iconic triple-decker bus squeezes its way through the city, try out the iconic bunks for a photo moment.

2. GRIMMAULD PLACE

Explore the ancestral home of the Black family and use your wand to interact with their family tree and the glowing fireplace.

3. MINISTRIES OF MAGIC

Responsive projections and a suspended centrepiece transport you to iconic wizarding ministries across Paris, London, and New York.

4. THE HALL OF PROPHECY

Wander through a mirrored room filled with glowing orbs.

5. THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS

Exclusive to Singapore, this environment takes you deep beneath Hogwarts, into the lair of an ancient basilisk.

6. NEWT’S MENAGERIE

Discover a world of fantastic beasts in one amazing suitcase, where you’ll encounter fantastic beasts in their natural habitats. Each scene is brought to life through artistic projections and your wand will bring Newt’s notes and sketches to life.

7. KNOCKTURN ALLEY

This dark, interactive environment captures some of the wizarding world’s most eerie locations.

8. THE ROOM OF REQUIREMENT

Explore towers of items that stretch towards the ceiling to find glimmers of magic among ordinary-looking objects.

9. THE TRAP DOOR

Another Singapore-exclusive, this environment invites you to access a series of chambers protecting the Philosopher’s Stone. Each chamber represents a different challenge Harry, Ron and Hermione had to overcome, creating an opportunity for wand interactivity for you to discover.

10. THE PENSIEVE

This 360-degree immersive experience offers a surreal journey through key moments from Harry’s story.

In addition to these 10 environments, visitors can only indulge in Butterbeer and purchase merchandise from the gift shop.

Accio tickets to Harry Potter: Visions Of Magic by heading to Ticketmaster. Presale tickets will be available from Nov 5 to 7. To get in on this, simply join the waitlist on this website.

General sales will then commence on Nov 8. Ticket prices start at S$39 for children between the ages of four and 12, and S$49 for adults aged 13 and above.

SINGAPORE – Fans of Harry Potter, get ready to visit Hogwarts and the rest of the wizarding world in November.

The interactive art experience, Harry Potter: Visions Of Magic, will be making its Asia premiere at Resorts World Sentosa on Nov 22. It is based on the best-selling Harry Potter book and movie series chronicling the adventures of boy wizard Harry Potter and his friends Ron and Hermione.

Created by Warner Bros Discovery Global Experiences and Neon, the self-guided art experience spans over 3,700 sq m. Visitors are given a wand, which they can use to interact with their environment.

Tickets range from $39 to $49 and go on general sale on Nov 8. Pre-sale tickets will be available via Ticketmaster from Nov 5 to 7. Fans can get exclusive access to pre-sale tickets by joining the waitlist at harrypottervisionsofmagic.sg.

The experience, which takes about an hour to go through, includes 10 environments, including two which are exclusive to Singapore – the Chamber Of Secrets and The Trap Door.

The Chamber Of Secrets was a major plot point in the second book of the Harry Potter series, and will take visitors deep beneath the wizarding school Hogwarts and into the lair of the Basilisk, an ancient serpent monster.

The Trap Door is based on the story of the first book, Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone. Visitors are invited to access a series of chambers protecting the Philosopher’s Stone, a magical object crucial to gaining immortality, and go through challenges.

The other environments include the various Ministries Of Magic around the world; Newt’s Menagerie, where visitors can see the fantastic beasts of the magical world; and the eerie Knockturn Alley, a shopping lane dedicated to the dangerous Dark Arts.

There will also be a retail shop selling gifts and official Harry Potter merchandise, where fans can also enjoy Butterbeer, an oft-mentioned butterscotch brew in the series.

The family-friendly art experience had its world premiere in Cologne, Germany, in 2023.

Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction.

With over 10 unique installations.

“Harry Potter: Visions of Magic” will have its Asia premiere at Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore on Nov. 22, 2024.

This immersive art experience offers a self-guided journey through the wizarding world, inspired by the renowned movie and book series.

Experience highlights

The installation will feature ten unique environments that include multimedia displays, responsive video content, and original soundscapes.

Key features of the experience include:

• An interactive wand experience that allows visitors to uncover hidden magical elements within the immersive environments.

• A unique retail space offering souvenirs, gifts, and apparel.
• The availability of the iconic wizarding beverage, Butterbeer.

Ticketing details

Ticket prices range from S$39 to S$69 (excluding booking fees).

The waitlist for first access to pre-sale tickets is currently open here.

Exclusive pre-sales will occur from Nov. 5, 2024, at 10am to Nov. 7, 2024, at 11:59pm.

General ticket sales will begin on Nov. 8, 2024, at 10am.

Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster’s website or by calling the hotline at +65 800 321 1678.

Premiered in December 2023

Harry Potter: Visions of Magic made its world premiere in Germany in December 2023.

It achieved sold-out status, exceeding 138,000 ticket sales before its grand opening.

For more information on the event, visit here.

Top images via Harry Potter: Visions of Magic.

From priceless Peruvian gold treasures to a fly-through virtual experience of Machu Picchu, this summer blockbuster promises to be a win with visitors.

Following on from the success of Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs – which closed in May 2024 after some 508,000 visitors streamed through the doors – the Australian Museum (AM) has announced its next blockbuster exhibition.

Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru is a double-barrelled experience. Visitors can ‘fly through’ the UNESCO World Heritage Site – exploring the Incan city of Mach Picchu via cutting-edge drone footage delivered as a Virtual Reality (VR) experience from 360-degree motion chairs. Titled, Machu Picchu and the Spirit of the Condor, it will share the intriguing story of grand Incan emperor Pachacuti.

Visitors can then walk through the exhibition of rare antiquities, dating back more than 3000 years and stretching across five Peruvian Empires.

Consul-General of Peru, José Alberto Ortiz Artola, said the exhibition will contribute to the cultural connection between Peru and Australia.

“Through the representation and interpretation of the myths and rituals of Andean civilisations and their rediscovery and reappraisal in the 21st century, it seems possible to reconstruct the foundational images of modern Peru,” said Artola. “I know the public will be captivated by our unique culture.”

Created by Peru’s Museo Larco and Museo de Sitio Manuel Chavez Ballon, in conjunction with Neon Global, the exhibition features 134 priceless artefacts, including gold treasure from royal tombs, glittering jewels, intricate masks and objects of worship, explains the Museum.

The Museum has described it as the “most opulent collection of Andean gold to ever travel outside of Peru”.

“One of the Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu is a top bucket-list destination for many Australians,” said Australian Museum Director and CEO, Kim McKay AO. “This exhibition will further inspire visitors with its state-of-the-art storytelling alongside treasures from these intriguing ancient empires.”

Sydney is the fourth city in the world to host this blockbuster following on from Boca Raton in Florida, Paris and Milan.

Ramses was among the AM’s most successful museum exhibitions in NSW history, both in terms of visitors and financial impact, contributing more than $57 million to the NSW economy. It is not only hoped, but expected, that Machu Picchu will continue the trend.

Take part in an expedition to some of the world’s most astonishing civilisations. You can purchase tickets for your visit to ancient Peru here.

Sydney is about to host an extraordinary journey that will transport you to one of the most awe-inspiring destinations in the world: Peru. The Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru exhibition is set to open in November at the Australian Museum, and trust us—you won’t want to miss it. This one-of-a-kind experience will take you deep into the heart of ancient Peru, showcasing centuries of history, breathtaking artefacts, and the stunning beauty of civilisations lost to time.

Tickets are on sale now and in high demand. Grab yours to be first in line for this incredible adventure that will bring the history and wonder of Peru right here to Sydney!

A world of wonder awaits you—purchase your tickets here

At this immersive experience, you’ll be transported to the heights of the Andes, where Machu Picchu has stood for centuries, shrouded in mystery and majesty. The exhibition brings to life the rich culture of ancient Peruvian civilisations and showcases over 130 stunning artefacts. From intricately designed pottery and textiles to royal tombs and funerary objects, each piece tells the story of a people behind these ancient people. As you walk through the exhibit, you’ll witness the craftsmanship and knowledge that defined ancient Andean people. Plus, you’ll encounter one of the most dazzling, impressive gold collections to tour the globe. Some ancient Andean civilisations believed that gold was the sweat of the sun, a gift from the gods that symbolised power, divinity, and eternity. Each of the treasures on display (intricately designed masks, jewellery, ceremonial weapons, and more) provide a window into spiritual and ceremonial life. It’s a fascinating look at the cultural heart of ancient Andean empires and a reminder of the remarkable artistry that flourished in ancient Peru.

Plus, for an add-on fee, the VR experience takes you into Machu Picchu. Thanks to cutting-edge VR and 360-degree motion chairs, you’ll feel as if you’re floating through the mist-covered mountains of the Andes, with the same sense of awe and discovery that Hiram Bingham must have felt when he first visited the Lost City in 1911. It’s an adventure that will transport you thousands of kilometres and centuries back in time, without ever having to leave Sydney.

Snag your tickets here to explore the mysteries of Machu Picchu

Whether you’ve always dreamed of visiting Machu Picchu or you’re simply looking for an unforgettable cultural experience, this exhibition is a must-see. It brings together the mystery, beauty, and wonder of the ancient world in a way that will leave you spellbound. Don’t miss the chance to walk among treasures that have been hidden for centuries, and to be part of an adventure that will take you far beyond the walls of the Australian Museum. With anticipation building for the opening in November, tickets are selling quickly. Secure your spot today!

Sharing the secrets of five ancient Peruvian Empires, dating back more than 3000 years, the Australian Museum (AM) has announced the summer cultural blockbuster Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru will be exclusively hosted in Sydney from Saturday 23 November 2024.

Created by Peru’s Museo Larco and Museo de Sito Manuel Chavez Ballon, in conjunction with Neon Global, the exhibition features 134 priceless artefacts including gold treasure from royal tombs, glittering jewels, intricate masks and objects of worship.

Visitors will also be able to see the Virtual Reality (VR) experience, Machu Picchu and the Spirit of the Condor, which includes a bird’s-eye tour of Machu Picchu while sharing the intriguing story of grand Inca emperor Pachacuti.

Australian Museum Director and CEO, Kim McKay AO said the Australian Museum is honoured to host this priceless collection of ancient Peruvian artefacts, including the most opulent collection of Andean gold to ever travel outside of Peru.

“One of the Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu is a top bucket-list destination for many Australians, and this exhibition will further inspire visitors with its state-of-the-art storytelling alongside treasures from these intriguing ancient empires,” she said.

Produced by Neon Global, the exhibition is exclusive to the Australian Museum and Sydney will be the fourth city in the world to host this blockbuster following on from Boca Raton, Florida, USA; Paris, France; and Milan, Italy.

Consul-General of Peru, Mr José Alberto Ortiz, said the exhibition will contribute to the cultural connection between Peru and Australia.

“I’m delighted that the Australian Museum will be hosting this exhibition highlighting the rich history and culture of ancient Peru, enabling the people of NSW and beyond to experience Machu Picchu and all our country has to offer,” said Mr Ortiz.

“Through the representation and interpretation of the myths and rituals of Andean civilizations and their rediscovery and reappraisal in the 21st century, it seems possible to reconstruct the foundational images of modern Peru.”

“I know the public will be captivated by our unique culture dating back more than 3000 years and will be fascinated by the stories of five empires which are still present in our country today,” he said.

According to the Australian Museum, large scale exhibitions like Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru not only contribute to the cultural growth of Sydney, creating vibrant and inclusive intergenerational and cultural experiences, but they also significantly boost the local economy.

“After the success of Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs, I’m looking forward to the opening day on 23 November when we will take our visitors on another journey back in time, through the clouds that swirl around the peak of Machu Picchu, and deep dive into a remarkable culture and history,” said Ms McKay.

The previous blockbuster, Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs, set new attendance records for the AM during its six-month run (November 2023 – May 2024), and is one of the highest grossing museum exhibitions in NSW’s history, having sold more than 508,000 tickets.

A recently released post-exhibition economic impact report demonstrated Ramses contributed more than $57 million to the NSW economy.

Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru
Australian Museum, 1 William Street, Sydney
On display from Saturday 23 November 2024
Entry fees apply

For more information, visit: australian.museum for details.

The Australian Museum in Sydney is hosting the showcase’s Aussie-exclusive season, which features jewels, masks and other treasures, from November 2024.

Move over Egypt: this summer, visiting the Australian Museum means venturing to South America. After dedicating the end of 2023 and beginning of 2024 to blockbuster exhibition Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs, the Sydney institution is wrapping up this year and starting 2025 with another massive must-see blast from the past. In an Aussie-exclusive season, Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru will display 134 priceless artefacts and head back over 3000 years.

When it opens on Saturday, November 23, 2024, this historical showcase from Peru’s Museo Larco and Museo de Sito Manuel Chavez Ballon will feature jewels, masks and other treasures, some of which have been found in royal tombs. As the name makes plain, gold is a focus. In fact, Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru boasts the most-opulent collection of Andean gold that’s ever left Peru.

As well as peering at its items across the exhibition’s six-month stay, attendees will be able to explore Machu Picchu via virtual reality — although that part comes at an extra fee. This highlight of the program is the first-ever VR ‘fly-through’ of the famous site, organisers advise, and will get Australian Museum visitors feeling like they’ve been transported both back in time and to the other side of the world via not just VR, but also 360-degree motion chairs and drone footage.

“One of the Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu is a top bucket-list destination for many Australians, and this exhibition will further inspire visitors with its state-of-the-art storytelling alongside treasures from these intriguing ancient empires,” said Australian Museum Director and CEO Kim McKay AO, announcing the exhibition.

“I’m delighted that the Australian Museum will be hosting this exhibition highlighting the rich history and culture of ancient Peru, enabling the people of NSW and beyond to experience Machu Picchu and all our country has to offer,” added Consul-General of Peru Mr José Alberto Ortiz.

“Through the representation and interpretation of the myths and rituals of Andean civilisations and their rediscovery and reappraisal in the 21st century, it seems possible to reconstruct the foundational images of modern Peru.”

“I know the public will be captivated by our unique culture dating back more than 3000 years and will be fascinated by the stories of five empires which are still present in our country today,” Ortiz continued.

Sydney is just the fourth place in the world to welcome Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru, after the exhibition’s stops in Boca Raton in the US, Paris in France and Milan in Italy.

Expect the Australian season to be busy, given the nation’s love of historical exhibitions at the Australian Museum — breaking attendance records, Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs, which was also produced by Neon Global, sold more than 508,000 tickets.

Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru opens at the Australian Museum, 1 William Street, Sydney, from Saturday, November 23, 2024 — head to the exhibition website for further details, and tickets from Tuesday, October 8, 2024.

Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs’ contribution to the local economy rivalled Taylor Swift’s Eras tour says the Sydney Morning Herald

NEON, a global experience entertainment company, is celebrating the success of its Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs at the Australian Museum, as a report by Inform Economics places the show among the most successful museum exhibitions in the history of New South Wales (NSW), for both economic impact and visitor numbers.

The exhibition opened at the museum in Sydney in November 2023 and was the largest cultural exhibition to visit Australia in over a decade. According to the report, the exhibition attracted over half a million visits and contributed over $57m to the NSW economy during its 6-month run.

Sydney Morning Herald reports that this level of economic impact is comparable to that delivered by the Taylor Swift Eras Tour concerts, which took place in Sydney earlier this year. It says that the concerts were attended by 600,000 people, and are believed to have injected between $10m and $133m into the local economy.

Furthermore, the Inform Economics report found that for every $1 spent on delivering the Ramses display, the NSW community received more than $11 in benefits, resulting in a benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of 11.2.

The report also found that the exhibition had driven overnight stays, with 60,000 of the 500,000 visitors travelling from interstate, and 10,000 coming from outside of Australia.

Unprecedented exhibition

Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs is a collaboration between World Heritage Exhibitions, NEON Global and the Houston Museum of Natural Science with support from Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. This exhibition offers a glimpse into the life and achievements of King Ramses II, also known as Ramses the Great.

It includes 181 exhibits, including gold treasures, jewellery, mummified animals, royal masks, amulets and sarcophagi. For many of these objects, the exhibition is the first time that they have been shown outside of Egypt. The Australian Museum exhibition also included an exclusive interactive experience. 

Ron Tan, executive chairman & group CEO of NEON Group, says: “Sydney was the fourth city in the world to host Ramses – after Houston, San Francisco, and Paris. It has been great to see its success not just in attendance but in overall economic impact and enjoyment by the community.

“This world-class exhibition ran in Sydney for 183 days and is now showing in Cologne, Germany, where it continues to have great success. The NEON Group looks forward to partnering again with the Australian Museum in the near future on another blockbuster exhibition.”

Last month, NEON marked the successful launch of six experiences, bringing four different IPs to six different countries across four continents, all in just 22 days. Impressions of Monet opened at the Flower Dome @ Gardens by the Bay, Singapore; Jurassic World: The Exhibition opened in Mexico City; and Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs opened in Cologne, Germany, with sold-out shows over the opening weekend.

NEON, a global experience entertainment company, is celebrating the successful opening of six experiences, bringing four different IPs to six different countries across four continents in just 22 days.

On 12 July, Impressions of Monet welcomed guests into the art and life of Claude Monet at the Flower Dome @ Gardens by the Bay, Singapore; Jurassic World: The Exhibition opened in Mexico City; and Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs opened in Cologne, Germany with sold-out shows over the opening weekend.

In addition, Harry Potter: Visions of Magic opened on 26 July in Brussels, Belgium, and the award-winning Jurassic World: The Exhibition opened on 2 August in Melbourne, Australia, and Manchester, UK.

Discover Monet at Gardens by the Bay

Impressions of Monet is a tribute to the master of French Impressionism. During its run in Singapore, for the first time in Gardens by the Bay’s history, the horticultural and the digital meld together in a one-of-a-kind showcase, more than three times the size of a regular floral display.

Highlights include Impressions of Monet: The Garden, a floral display that recreates the landscapes of Monet’s renowned gardens, Clos Normand and the Water Garden. This features over 18,000 plants across 40 species, closely mirroring those that would be seen in Monet’s gardens during the peak of summer, such as cleomes, delphiniums, digitalis, geraniums, hollyhocks, and sunflowers.

Eight varieties of water lilies among the 10 on display were sourced from the longstanding Latour-Marliac nursery in France – the same place the artist procured his water lilies in 1894. The green Japanese bridge in the Water Garden is also recreated, and a replica of Monet’s pink house takes a prominent place in the centre of the Flower Dome.

Meanwhile, Impressions of Monet: The Experience, a multi-sensory experience weaved together by NEON’s talented collaborators, celebrates the works and life of the painter and his contemporaries through light, colour, sound and fragrance.

In the space called Vivid Dreams, visitors learn about Impressionism and those who pioneered it, including Camille Pissarro, Edouard Manet, Gustave Caillebotte, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Paul Cézanne and Edgar Degas.

Beneath the Flowerbed showcases Monet’s iconic Japanese-style green bridge with stunning floral displays curated by artisanal florist Brenda Lee, founder and owner of Fiore Dorato. In Night at the Lily Pond, a night landscape is presented, with projections of digital images of wisterias and water lilies created by Michael Kwan, a multi-award-winning artist, together with glimmers of light that create reflections on the waters of the water lily pond. Emily Wong, music composer and producer, serenades the experience with her beautiful soundtracks created specially to complement the spaces within the experience.

Impressions of Monet: The Experience culminates in the Immersive Gallery, created and produced by Grande Experiences of Australia. It features a display of Impressionist works accompanied by classical scores and nature-inspired scents.

Bringing Jurassic World to life

Jurassic World: The Exhibition is a family-friendly exhibit based on the popular blockbuster franchise. Guests walk through the iconic Jurassic World gates, explore richly themed environments, and encounter a life-sized brachiosaurus. They can also meet velociraptors, including fan-favourite Blue, and the mighty Tyrannosaurus Rex.

Visitors can imagine what it would have been like to roam among the dinosaurs. They can also meet baby dinosaurs, including “Bumpy” from the animated series Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous and Jurassic World: Chaos Theory.

Since its launch, the exhibition has become one of the fastest-selling exhibitions, with nearly eight million tickets sold in 20 cities around the globe.

The splendour of Rameses

Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs is making its first appearance in Germany, showcasing over 180 antiquities from the pyramids and museums of Egypt, along with their extraordinary stories. Visitors can discover priceless artefacts and ornate golden treasures, including one-of-a-kind relics such as sarcophagi, animal mummies, jewellery, royal masks, and amulets—many of which have never left Egypt before.

The exhibition showcases signature pieces, including the famous coffin of Ramses the Great, the golden masks of Amenemope, the necklace of Psusennes, and mummified animals, including cats, crocodiles, and even a lion cub. All of the objects have come from museums and historical sites in Egypt and are on loan from Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities.

Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs also features a virtual reality experience that takes visitors on a tour of two of Ramses’ most impressive monuments: the Tomb of Queen Nefertari and the temples of Abu Simbel.

The magic of Harry Potter

Harry Potter: Visions of Magic, created by Warner Bros. Discovery Global Themed Entertainment and NEON, is an interactive art experience exploring the mysterious corners of the wizarding world across a 3,000-square-meter venue.

It features immersive and artistic environments inspired by places such as the Room of Requirement, Newt’s Menagerie and the Ministry of Magic. Responsive video content, bold architecture and original soundscapes create multi-sensory installations, while interactive technology invites guests to illuminate their own visions of magic.

Last month, Ron Tan, NEON Group CEO and executive chairman, was presented with the Outstanding Tourism Entrepreneur award at the Singapore Tourism Awards. 

Something BIG has descended on the Trafford Centre… literally.

A major Jurassic World exhibition that’s been mesmerising visitors all over the world has arrived here in Manchester.

After initially launching in Melbourne, and then going on to open its gates to excited dinosaur fans in numerous other cities globally, such as Toronto, Chicago, Paris, Shanghai, Berlin, and more, it’s fair to say that Jurassic World: The Exhibition has become a global success.

Based on the beloved blockbuster film franchise, this official award-winning experience is one of the fastest-selling exhibitions in history, and has welcomed more than eight million visitors since first opening.

Tickets to the exhibition‘s run down at the Excel Arena in London back in 2022 were snapped up super quick and ended up selling out in no time at all – but thankfully, for any Greater Manchester residents who weren’t lucky enough to get to experience it for themselves, the dino mania has now arrived up north.

Jurassic World: The Exhibition has officially roared into the Trafford Centre for a limited time only from Friday 26 July.

Billed as being a “family-friendly exhibit of massive proportions”, Manc visitors will be able to walk through the iconic Jurassic World gates, explore some richly-themed environments, and encounter a life-sized Brachiosaurus, Velociraptors, and the most fearsome dinosaur of all, the mighty Tyrannosaurus Rex.

You’ll be able to imagine what it would’ve been like to roam amongst these breathtaking creatures, and even interact with baby dinosaurs like Bumpy from the popular animated series, Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous – which is currently streaming on Netflix.

And if all of that didn’t sound brilliant enough as it is, the Manchester event will even feature some additional fan-favourite dinosaurs from Jurassic World that haven’t been at previous exhibitions too, so this means you can also look forward to seeing the armoured adult Ankylosaurus, and the ferocious Carnotaurus.

Simon Layton, who is the Centre Director at Trafford Centre, said the arrival of Jurassic World: The Exhibition in Greater Manchester will be “hugely exciting”.

“This experience promises a roarsome day out for all the family,” he added.

Ron Tan, who is the Executive Chairman & Group CEO of NEON – the immersive events company bringing the exhibition to the UK for only the second time – said he is “ecstatic” to be back in the UK with another “exceptional experience” and to be showcasing new dinosaurs to awe visitors in Manchester and beyond.

He added: “We look forward to welcoming huge crowds to come experience this prehistoric world like no other.”

Jurassic World: The Exhibition will be opening at the Trafford Centre, on the Peel 7 car park opposite John Lewis, for a limited time from Friday 26 July, and tickets are now officially on sale – starting from just £13 for children ages three up to 14.

Family and group tickets are also available, as well as specially-priced tickets for senior citizens and students.

Grab yours here.

The German city of Cologne is alive with energy and anticipation as the “Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs” travelling exhibition continues to captivate the hearts and the minds of audiences, drawing them in with promises of untold ancient wonders and treasures.

The exhibition marks its fifth stop after captivating audiences in the US, Paris, and Australia.

Enthusiasm for this showcase of ancient splendour is palpable, with banners adorning the streets, metro stations, and residential buildings, offering tantalising glimpses of the treasures that lie within the Odysseum Hall from July 13 to January 6 of the following year.

Visitors line up outside the Odysseum, eager to immerse themselves in the history, majesty, and victories of Ramses II’s 67-year reign. 

At the heart of this exhibition lies the grandeur of Ramses II (1303 BC – 1213 BC), with his monumental coffin taking centre stage, inviting visitors to delve into the life and legacy of this illustrious pharaoh. 

Images of the king’s coffin grace the front pages of German newspapers and magazines, sparking a wave of intrigue and fascination amongst the masses.

The exhibition features an array of 180 priceless artefacts unfolding before visitors, showcasing the unparalleled craftsmanship and opulence of ancient Egypt. 

From royal statues to glittering jewellery, each piece tells a story of a bygone era, inviting guests to step back in time and experience the grandeur of Egypt’s ancient rulers.

Renowned archaeologist Zahi Hawass unveiled the layers of Ramses’ greatness, highlighting his prowess as a warrior, a peacemaker, and a prolific builder whose impact is felt across Egypt to this day. 

He attended the opening ceremony of the exhibition where he told the German audience, “Ramses, a renowned king and a skilled warrior, was known for his numerous battles and for being the first to establish a peace treaty. In addition to his military prowess, Ramses was also a prolific builder, leaving his mark in various locations.” 

Hawass, also the curator of the exhibition, said in our modern era that starkly contrasts with ancient Egypt, this exhibition offers visitors a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of Ramses and explore a society vastly different from our own. 

Ascending to the throne at the age of 25, he faced threats from Libyan tribes in the northwest and the formidable Hittite Empire in modern-day Türkiye, Syria, and Lebanon. Known for his military prowess, Ramses learned the art of war at a young age and fought alongside his father in battles against neighbouring foes. One of his most famous campaigns was the Battle of Kadesh, which took place in the 13th century BC. 

Skilled in diplomacy, Ramses negotiated the world’s first known peace treaty with the Hittites 16 years later, showcasing his ability to transition from conflict to cooperation. This treaty, a symbol of non-aggression and mutual support, is still preserved and displayed at the United Nations HQ in New York.

Ramses II is renowned for his impressive architectural projects that left a lasting legacy in ancient Egypt. Thanks to his alliance with the Hittites, Ramses was able to focus on cultural and economic advancements, leading to the construction of numerous monumental buildings, including the new capital Pi-Ramesses. 

His burial palace, the Ramesseum, housed a vast library and a colossal stone statue immortalising his reign. Among his most famous works are the temples of Karnak, Luxor, and Abu Simbel, showcasing his grandeur and earning him the title “Ramses the Great.” 

Ramses II’s mummy has remained in Egypt, except for a brief preservation trip to Paris in 1976. Today, his mummy rests in the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation in Cairo, a symbol of his enduring impact on ancient Egyptian history. 

At the exhibition, visitors can only marvel at his cedar coffin, adorned with hieroglyphs that honour the pharaoh. Despite being relocated multiple times throughout the millennia to safeguard it from tomb raiders, the coffin has remained vulnerable. 

Alongside are statues portraying him and his kin, extravagant jewellery, mummified animals, and death masks.

Famed archaeologist Mostafa Waziry, a former secretary-general of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, has been instrumental in coordinating numerous international exhibitions over the span of 25 years, such as the one in Cologne. 

During an interview with the German news channel, n-tv, Waziry said the exhibition artefacts were transported using a dedicated cargo aircraft. 

“It is crucial for us to ensure that the items are packed securely, and for this purpose, we collaborate with the top company in the field. Additionally, comprehensive insurance coverage is always a prerequisite for our travels,” he said. 

What adds more excitement to this exhibition is a virtual reality experience that transports visitors on a thrilling journey through Ramses’ most iconic monuments, offering a rare glimpse into the temples of Abu Simbel and the temple of his beloved queen Nefertari.

Seated in dynamic motion chairs, visitors soar through sandstorms, navigate ancient ruins, and come face-to-face with the mummy of Ramses II, embarking on an adventure that blurs the lines between past and present. 

Moreover, the exhibition goes beyond Ramses II to delve into the grandeur of royal tombs in ancient Egypt. It showcases recently discovered animal mummies from the Saqqara Necropolis excavated by Waziry’s team, in addition to treasures unearthed at the archaeological sites of Dahshur and Tanis.

Walk among life-sized moving dinosaurs at this incredible dinosaur experience, which is now open in Brunswick. Purchase your tickets now.

Prepare to travel to Isla Nublar without leaving Melbourne, as Jurassic World: The Exhibition has arrived at the Fever Exhibition and Experience Centre in Brunswick. Step through the iconic Jurassic World gates, and prepare to meet life-sized moving dinosaurs in an experience that brings the iconic films to life. Tickets for the exciting journey are now on sale, so get yours soon to be part of the action. 

Interact with animatronic dinosaurs by booking your visit to Jurassic World: The Exhibition

Based on one of the biggest blockbusters in cinema history, Jurassic World invites you to be a guest of honour at this dinosaur experience. The park that was only a promise, now becomes a reality and guests can walk among incredible relics of history. Meet friendly park rangers who will guide you through the various sections, and watch as they train raptors, feed herbivores, and keep the T-Rex under control. From tiny hatchlings in the creation lab to the towering Brachiosaurus in the park, you’ll be introduced to a host of dinosaurs of all sizes and species. 

From the resident scientists, you’ll be able to learn about the amazing science behind the resurrection of dinosaurs, and even see some of the lab work in action. Don’t worry about any transgenic creations escaping though, the park rangers have this Jurassic World under control (we hope). 

Step through the gates of Jurassic World

See the fantastical park from the movie screen come to life at this incredible experience, suitable for both seasoned and junior explorers. Tickets are available starting from $49 for adults, and $39 for kids, with senior and student passes available, and family and group ticket bundles also on sale. Book your spot here to embark on a thrilling dinosaur adventure in the heart of Melbourne! 

Get your tickets for Jurassic World: The Exhibition in Melbourne here

This exhibition filled with life-sized, lifelike creatures is your latest excuse to indulge your dinosaur obsession in Melbourne.

Overview

On the big screen, the Jurassic franchise keeps finding a way. After 1993’s page-to-cinemas hit Jurassic Park proved such a smash, more movies were always going to follow. So spawned sequels in 1997 and 2001, then the first three Jurassic World flicks in 2015, 2018 and 2022 — and now there’s a fourth of the latter on the way in 2025. But it isn’t just on screens that this saga continues to pop up.

Welcome to … your latest reason to be surrounded by lifelike prehistoric creatures in 2024, Melburnians. After roaring into Sydney in 2023, and teasing a trip further south since early this year, Jurassic World: The Exhibition has opened in Brunswick. Head to The Fever Exhibition Hall from Friday, August 2 and you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to Isla Nublar, complete with a walk through the big-screen saga’s famed gates. From there, you’ll mosey around themed environments featuring life-sized versions of the movie franchise’s dinos, including a brachiosaurus, velociraptors — yes, get ready to say “clever girl” — and a Tyrannosaurus rex.

Attendees can get roaming while staring at animatronics, including the new ankylosaurus and carnotarus. Also linking in with the animated Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous series, there’s baby dinos, such as the show’s Bumpy.

Now, all that’s left is to decide which Jurassic franchise character that you want to emulate (the best choices: Laura Dern’s palaeobotanist Ellie Sattler, Sam Neill’s palaeontologist Alan Grant and Jeff Goldblum’s mathematician Ian Malcolm, of course).

And no, when Michael Crichton penned Jurassic Park in 1990, then Steven Spielberg turned it into a 1993 film, they wouldn’t have expected that this’d be the result 31 years — and five more movies — later.

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The immersive exhibition is a true epic – with huge life-sized dinosaurs for you to meet (or run from) inside

There’s a truly epic new exhibition now open in Manchester for dinosaur fans young and old – as the acclaimed Jurassic World has swung open its doors at the Trafford Centre. The immersive attraction has previously played in London, but now Manchester gets it for the first time this summer.

Based on the blockbuster Jurassic Park movie series, dino fans can get up close and personal with a raft of huge life-sized, moving dinosaurs. Guests get to enter “Jurassic World” after a simulated boat trip out to the island where the likes of Triceratops, Brachiosaurus and Parasaurolphus roam.

And at the finale, guest of all ages may well find they’re cowering when the most fearsome dinosaur of all – the mighty T-Rex – roars to life right before your eyes.

Ticketholders get to walk through a series of different rooms within the attraction, including a science lab where the Jurassic World boffins hatch new baby dinosaurs. Visitors will also get to scan eggs to see which baby dinos are inside.

Then youngsters will love getting to meet a number of baby dinosaurs carried by rangers inside the exhibition, including “Bumpy” from the popular animated series Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous that is currently on Netflix.

Billed as a “family friendly exhibit of massive proportions based on one of the biggest blockbuster franchises in cinema history”, visitors will walk through the iconic Jurassic World gates and explore richly themed environments.

The first encounter is with an epic life-sized Brachiosaurus, before greeting a huge Triceratops that show the sheer scale of the beasts that once walked the Earth.

Visitors will be guided through a special enclosure to meet the fearsome Velociraptors who are kept safely behind reinforced fences, just like in the movie.

Guests will also be able to imagine what it would have been like to roam amongst these breathtaking creatures and their habitat. Younger visitors will also love getting their hands on a range of fossils and bones in a special dig area.

Following an initial launch in Melbourne, Australia, Jurassic World: The Exhibition has become one of the fastest selling exhibitions in history since its launch. It has become a global success with over eight million visitors, and was last in the UK in London in 2023.

The exhibition is currently welcoming visitors in Mexico, Melbourne, and now Manchester can be added to the list too. It opened for preview shows on Thursday, before opening to the general public from Friday onwards, with booking being taken right through the school holidays and on until November 3.

Universal Parks & Resorts’ president of global business development, Michael Silver said: “We are thrilled to open Jurassic World: The Exhibition for the second time in the United Kingdom. The Jurassic Park and Jurassic World franchise have been thrilling audiences for decades and we are delighted to give fans the opportunity to see these magnificent dinosaurs up close.”

Universal’s Alexis Scalise hosted the opening event in Manchester on Thursday and said how excited they were to welcome fans here in to see the dinosaurs.

She said: “Jurassic World is the closest you will ever come to living dinosaurs, we’re so excited for people to come up close and personal with the brachiosaurus, the raptor and T- Rex.

“There’s dinosaurs, and then there’s Jurassic World. It’s one of the great things about Universal that we are able to take these incredible experiences right to the backyards of our fans.

“It gives fans the chance to feel like they’re actually walking on set of a movie.”

Among other attractions inside include the chance to sit in a Gyrosphere like the characters do in the movies. And guests attending can take as many photos as they like while wandering through the dinosaur enclosures. There are also official photos you can buy at the end too.

Matt Boldys, from producers NEON who have put together the show here in Manchester, said it had been over a year in the planning. He said: “We’ve found a great partner in the Trafford Centre to be able to bring the exhibition here.

“We were slightly delayed because of some global transportation issues, but luckily none of the dinosaurs escaped! They were all able to come on site here.

“What’s so wonderful about this exhibition is that we get all ages coming in, there are families with young kids, but also grandparents coming in on their own or those who saw Jurassic Park at the movies when it first came out. Whoever you are, there’s something for everyone here and it’s a proper experience.”

How much are tickets?

General admission prices for Jurassic World: The Exhibition start from £13 for children (ages 3-15) and from £25 for adults, although prices go up and down depending on the date and time you’re wanting to go along.

All booking is via Ticketmaster here. Family and group tickets are also available as well as special pricing for senior citizens and students.

When booking, you select a specific time slot to attend, or you can buy a “flexi ticket” which is more expensive, but means you can attend at any time on the date you choose.

The attraction takes around an hour to complete.

Where is it?

Jurassic World: The Exhibition can be found in a purpose-built building on the Peel Avenue 7 car park, opposite John Lewis at the Trafford Centre. It’s just a couple of minutes off Junction 9 of the M60.

Is there a shop?

Yes, at the end of the exhibition, there is a gift shop packed with Jurassic World branded goodied like t-shirts, caps and water bottles. For those taking younger guests, be warned there are a lot of cute cuddly toys that your little one will probably try and grab on the way out.

There’s no cafe on site though, although the venue is a short walk or drive to the Trafford Centre where there are a raft of food and drink retailers.

German audiences are flocking to the Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs exhibition that has opened in Cologne.

Cologne, the historical, cultural, and economic capital of Germany’s fourth largest state of North Rhine-Westphalia and the Rhineland region, is hosting the “Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs” exhibition from 13 July to 6 January next year. This is the exhibition’s fifth stop following two stops in the US, one in the French capital Paris, and one in New South Wales, Australia, with total visitors amounting to 500,000.

Cologne’s streets, metro and bus stations and residential buildings now carry banners showing some of the pieces from the exhibition in a bid to attract even more visitors.

The façade of the Odysseum, a Cologne museum where the exhibition is being held, features an image of Ramses II’s coffin, a star exhibit in the exhibition. Images of the king’s coffin and some of the exhibition’s artefacts have appeared on the front pages of German newspapers and magazines, and some of them have devoted pages to telling the story of the Great King and the discovery of his mummy in the Luxor cachette at the end of the 19th century.

On the day of the exhibition’s opening, visitors queued in front of the Odysseum, waiting for their turn to enter the exhibition and explore the history, life, and achievements of Ramses II throughout his 67-year reign, one of the longest of any Pharaoh in ancient Egyptian history.

“Ramses was a great king and warrior,” said archaeologist and former antiquities minister Zahi Hawass. He pointed out that although Ramses II fought many battles, he was the first to establish a peace treaty. Moreover, he was also a prolific builder, and traces of his activity can still be found throughout Egypt.

“Our modern world differs greatly from ancient Egypt. This exhibition allows visitors to immerse themselves in Ramses II’s world and discover a completely different way of life,” Hawass said.

Tickets for the first day of the exhibition had sold out, and 35,000 tickets have been sold altogether, according to Mohamed Ismail Khaled, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA).

He said that the great interest in the exhibition in Germany, as shown by the very significant turnout, would result in more Germans visiting Egypt to learn more about ancient Egyptian civilisation and visit the places where these artefacts originated.

They would want to see the temples, shrines, and tombs king Ramses II built for himself and his wife queen Nefertari for themselves.

The exhibition presents a collection of 180 priceless artefacts, some of which have never been shown outside Egypt. The wooden coffin of Ramses II, considered the most remarkable ever unearthed from ancient Egypt, is among the showcased pieces.

The exhibition also features a virtual reality experience that takes visitors on a whirlwind tour of two of Ramses’s most impressive monuments: the Temples of Abu Simbel and that of his beloved wife queen Nefertari.

Seated in dynamic motion chairs, attendees can soar through temples, navigate sandstorms, and encounter the mummy of Ramses II in a thrilling animated adventure.

Before entering the exhibition, a four-minute introductory film on a 120-degree screen takes visitors on a journey back in time to acquaint them with the history of the great ancient Egyptian king.

The exhibition explores the world of Ramses II himself, showing royal statues, sarcophagi, spectacular masks, magnificent jewellery, and ornate golden treasures that reveal the fabulous wealth of the Pharaohs, the astonishing skill of ancient Egyptian tomb builders, and the superb workmanship of Egyptian artists.

Recently discovered animal mummies, including those of cats, lion cubs, and a mongoose, from the Saqqara Necropolis are on view, as well as fabulous treasures discovered in the royal tombs at the Dahshour and Tanis archaeological sites.

The exhibition also includes precious objects from several other periods of Egyptian history to showcase the opulence of Egypt’s ancient civilisation and the beauty of its treasures. Many of these precious gold and silver objects come from intact royal tombs of the Middle Kingdom.

King Ramses died at the age of 92 and was buried in the Valley of the Kings at Luxor.

The ‘Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs’ exhibition has opened in Cologne, after landing in the US, France and Australia.

The ‘Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs’ exhibition is officially open in Cologne, Germany, at the ODYSSEUM Hall. This is the fifth stop on the exhibition’s international tour, following Houston and San Francisco in the US, as well as Paris and Sydney. The exhibition has seen a significant turnout at all locations since its initial opening.

Thousands of visitors from all over Germany have queued for hours to see the 180 artefacts and treasures of King Ramses II in person. The opening day had sold-out entirely, with 35,000 tickets overall having been sold so far.

The collection features a curated selection of pieces from the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir, as well as the sarcophagus of King Ramses II himself, temporarily transferred from the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation (NMEC). Other artefacts on display include pieces uncovered by the Egyptian mission in the Bubastis area of Saqqara.

The items in the exhibition highlight the distinct features of ancient Egyptian civilisation between the Middle Kingdom and the Late Period, such as statues, jewellery, cosmetic tools, inscribed stone blocks and painted wooden coffins.

The opulence of the reign of Ramses II, Egypt’s most powerful pharaoh, is on display at a touring exhibition currently in Cologne, Germany.

Ramses II is documented as having been quite vain. But you can afford to be vain when you’re a pharaoh, the ruler and protector of Egypt, the intermediary between humans and the gods.

After he died, Ramses II was embalmed and preserved for eternity — but that’s not the only reason his legacy was seared into the memory of future generations.

“Ramses was a great king who was a warrior. He made many battles and was the first one to have a peace treaty,” explains Zahi Hawass, a renowned archaeologist and former antiquities minister of Egypt. “And he’s a builder — everywhere you find traces.”

Hawass is the curator of the touring exhibition “Ramses and Gold of the Pharaohs,” which recently arrived in the western German city of Cologne following stops in Sydney, Australia and Paris, France. “Our modern world differs greatly from Ancient Egypt. This exhibition allows visitors to dive into Ramses’ world and discover a completely different way of life,” he said.

Ramses the warlord

For almost 67 years, Ramses II (1279 to 1213 BC) ruled over the empire on the Nile. At the beginning of his reign, like his father Seti I before him, he had to defend himself against Libyan tribes in the northwest and against the mighty Hittite Empire, which covered roughly the area of Turkey, Syria and Lebanon today.

He began learning the art of warfare as a child and, alongside his father, he went into battle against the neighboring peoples as an archer on a chariot.

He was 25 years old when he was crowned as pharaoh.

One of his most famous campaigns during his reign was the battle for the important trading city of Kadesh. Under his command, some 20,000 warriors marched against the enemy, flanked by 2,000 chariots. It was possibly the largest army a pharaoh had ever assembled, yet he almost nearly suffered a devastating defeat. Ramses was certain of victory, but he was deceived by spies who told him the Hittites were still far away from the camp of his forces. In reality, they were lying in ambush. Only at the last moment did reinforcements arrive for the Egyptians, and the battle ended in a draw.

PR strategies of the ancient world

But that outcome was out of the question for the pharaoh, so he instructed his sculptors to carve temple inscriptions throughout Egypt proclaiming his victory. “I conquered all foreigners, I alone, when my troops and chariot fighters had abandoned me,” he dictated to his scribes. Today, we would probably call that “fake news.” It was only thanks to a Hittite inscription that the truth later came to light.

Ramses was not only a master of self-promotion; 16 years later, he managed to negotiate the first recorded peace treaty in world history with the Hittites. The erstwhile rivals promised to never attack each other again and even signed a pact of mutual assistance. A copy of the treaty is now on display at United Nations headquarters in New York.

The pharaoh — an ambitious building contractor

Thanks to that alliance, Egypt was able to focus on a cultural and economic upswing — and Ramses II was able to devote himself entirely to ambitious building projects. Probably no other pharaoh was responsible for so much new construction, including a new capital: Pi-Ramesses (House of Ramses).

His gigantic burial palace, the Ramesseum in Western Thebes, near the modern city of Luxor, housed a library with more than 10,000 papyrus scrolls. He also had himself immortalized as a gigantic stone statue weighing 1,000 tons and standing 17 meters high.

Ramses’ most famous works include the temples of Karnak, Luxor and Abu Simbel, which was cut into rock.

The pharaoh was celebrated for his monumental buildings and quickly became known as “Ramses the Great.” 

He married eight women, fathering some 100 children. His 66-year reign during the 19th dynasty is regarded as the pinnacle of the empire’s glory and power. “He has surpassed everything,” he said of himself.

Ramses’ mummy has been abroad only once

Ramses II entered the realm of the dead in 1213 BC, at the age of 90. 

His mummy has been preserved to this day and only left Egpyt once: In 1976, the remains of Ramses II were taken to Paris for preservation because they were in danger of deteriorating. The mummy was received like a high-ranking state guest, with gun salutes thundering into the sky to greet him.

Today, it rests in the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in the Egyptian capital Cairo.

At the touring exhibition now in Cologne, visitors can only admire his cedar coffin, which is decorated with hieroglyphs that pay homage to the pharaoh. The coffin has been moved several times over the millennia to protect it from grave robbers, but with little success.

“A pharaoh like Ramses — can you imagine how rich he was and what kind of artifacts could be inside? The tomb full of gold and silver,” Hawass told DW. In addition, statues depicting him or his family members, opulent pieces of jewelry, animal mummies and death masks bear witness to a world long gone. 

Did John Norman, managing director of World Heritage Exhibitions, which organized the show, have nightmares at the thought that something might happen to the original artifacts on their journey to Cologne? “No,” he told DW, ” The care that we give these objects, the way they’re moved, transported, is all like a military operation basically with security. “

Exhibition proceeds support archaeological heritage

Ramses II most likely could never have imagined that his treasures would be shown to people 3,000 years after his death.

The funerary objects were meant to accompany him into the afterlife, while valuable works of art were reserved for the upper classes. It is even said that disturbing the peace of the tomb carried a curse.

So why is Egypt sending these treasures to be displayed around the world? The reason is simple: “We need money for the conservation,” Zahi Hawass told DW. “There is no civilization that has what Egypt has, with the pharaonic monuments. Not the Greco-Roman, Jewish-Christian (sic), Islamic. All this needs millions to billions for the conservation.”

The exhibition, he continues, is also intended to encourage visitors to travel to Egypt themselves one day and to pour money into the state coffers.

The Egyptologist also took the opportunity in Cologne to repeat a heartfelt request: “We want Nefertiti back. I am not after other Egypt artifacts; you can keep them in Munich or Berlin. But we want one that is not legally here: Nefertiti.”

The exhibition “Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs” runs until January 6, 2025 at the Odysseum in Cologne. It is scheduled to open in the Japanese capital Tokyo in the spring of 2025.

This article was originally published in German.

Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, inaugurated the “Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs” exhibition at the ODYSSEUM in Cologne, Germany.

The opening ceremony was attended by Zahi Hawass, former Minister of Antiquities and the exhibition’s curator, Khaled Galal, Egypt’s Ambassador to Germany, along with the official delegation from the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, and several public figures, government officials, archaeologists, and tourism experts from Germany.

Khaled highlighted the exhibition’s immediate success, noting that all tickets for the opening day were sold out and that 35,000 tickets have been sold to date.

He emphasized that the exhibition, running until January 2025, will significantly promote Egyptian tourism.

He also extended an invitation to the German public to visit Egypt and experience its ancient civilization and timeless monuments.

This exhibition aims to spark interest in visiting Egypt, particularly to see the origins of the displayed artifacts, especially those related to King Ramses II, including his temples, shrines, and tombs built for him and his queen, Nefertari.

The “Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs” exhibition features 180 artifacts selected from the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir, dating back to the era of King Ramses II.

It also includes the king’s sarcophagus from the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization and several other items discovered by the Egyptian mission in the Bubastis area of Saqqara.

The Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs exhibition open to the public in Cologne, Germany, the fifth stop of its international tour.

Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, said the exhibition saw a significant turnout since its opening.

Thousands of visitors from all over Germany lined up at the main entrance, waiting for hours to view the treasures of King Ramses II.

The Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs exhibition includes 180 artefacts from the era of King Ramses II. The collection features select pieces from the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir and the sarcophagus of King Ramses II from the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC). Several other pieces have been brought from museums across Egypt.

Other artefacts on display include pieces discovered by the Egyptian mission in the Bubastis area in Saqqara.

These items highlight the distinct features of ancient Egyptian civilization from the Middle Kingdom to the Late Period, including statues, jewellery, cosmetic tools, panels, stone blocks adorned with inscriptions, and colourful wooden coffins.

The stop in Germany follows those in Houston and San Francisco in the US, Paris in France, and Sydney in Australia.

“All the tickets for the first day were sold out, and 35,000 tickets have been sold so far,” said Khaled.

He emphasized that the exhibition will significantly promote Egyptian tourist destinations and products, especially cultural tourism, in Germany, one of Egypt’s most sought-after tourism markets.

Khaled also invited the German people to visit Egypt to experience its ancient civilization and eternal monuments firsthand.

He noted that the exhibition, which offers only a glimpse of what the ancestors left behind, should encourage Germans to visit Egypt and learn more about ancient Egyptian civilization.

Khaled invited them to visit the places where these artefacts originated, particularly those related to King Ramses II, to see the temples, shrines, and tombs he built for himself and his wife, Queen Nefertari.

He also highlighted that visitors can enjoy Egypt’s diverse tourist destinations.

NEON, a global experience entertainment company, has announced that Ron Tan, group CEO and executive chairman, was presented with the Outstanding Tourism Entrepreneur award at the Singapore Tourism Awards. The prime minister of Singapore, Lawrence Wong, presented the accolade during a ceremony at the Raffles City Convention Centre on 28 June 2024.

The Singapore Tourism Awards 2024 recognised outstanding people and businesses that embody enterprise excellence and provide memorable experiences across tourism-related industries. Tan was recognised for his significant contribution to the sector, alongside other winners such as the Changi Airport Group (CAG) and the Singapore Airlines (SIA) Group.

“I am deeply honoured to receive the Outstanding Tourism Entrepreneur Award,” says Tan. “This award is a testament to the commitment and dedication of our global team, and I am receiving the award on everyone’s behalf. I would like to thank the Singapore Tourism Board for this award and also to extend my deepest gratitude to our Board of Directors, shareholders, studio partners, and the various government partners, as well as our partners and collaborators worldwide, whose support have been instrumental in our success.

“This recognition is a celebration of our journey and I am grateful to be able to share this extraordinary moment with all of you.”

Award builds on previous success

The Outstanding Tourism Entrepreneur award comes after the Singapore Tourism Awards recognised NEON’s ground-breaking development Avatar: The Experience at Gardens by the Bay with the Outstanding Attraction Experience award in 2023. Over 419 show days, 2,630,925 people visited the enticing Pandora experience, breaking previous records for the most attendance of any NEON IP show worldwide.

NEON is now preparing for the opening of two more internationally acclaimed experiences: the Asia Premiere of Harry Potter: Visions of Magic, which opens in Resorts World Sentosa in the last quarter of 2024, and Impressions of Monet, a multi-sensory experience that features the art, life, and gardens of French painter Claude Monet, the master of Impressionism, opening on 12 July at the Flower Dome @ Gardens by the Bay.

Using the Group’s different capabilities in cutting-edge technology and unique ideas, NEON will continue to push the boundaries of experiential entertainment to provide innovative, immersive, and unforgettable experiences to audiences globally. The company focuses on expanding its reach, investing in new opportunities, and continuously improving operational capabilities with the support of stakeholders, partners, and collaborators.

NEON also recently joined forces with the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities to announce that Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs will debut in Tokyo in spring 2025.

A new Jurassic experience will arrive for the first time in CDMX. The Perisur Shopping Mall will be invaded by dinosaurs! We tell you

You read that right! Jurassic World The Exhibition arrives for the first time in CDMX after having visited different cities around the world, and we tell you everything you need to know not to miss this experience.

Attention lovers of the dinosaur franchise, because starting July 12 you can visit this new exhibition at the Perisur Mall.

📍Perisur Shopping Mall (Anillo Perif. Sur 4690, Jardines del Pedregal de San Angel, Coyoacan)

This interactive experience will bring you closer than ever to dinosaurs. And you’ll even get to see Blue live and in full color, life-size!

Jurassic World The Exhibition is aimed at all audiences regardless of age, as the scenes you will see in this exhibition are inspired by the different movies of the film franchise.

You will discover the science of Jurassic World, see baby dinosaurs, stroll through the land of Jurassic giants and come face to face with life-size dinosaurs – not to be missed!

What will Jurassic World The Exhibition cost?

The cost to experience Jurassic World The Exhibition is $693 pesos per person. However, there is the option to purchase the T-Rex Fast Pass for $999 per person, where you can enjoy faster access from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm.

The cost of the tickets varies depending on the day and time you wish to visit the experience. The ticket is free for children under 3 years old.

It is important to know that the experience lasts from 45 minutes to one hour. However, once you enter there is no time limit on how long you can stay on site.

An exhibition 65 million years in the making. Welcome to Jurassic World!

Get ready, dino fans! The official award-winning Jurassic World: The Exhibition is roaring back to the UK beginning on 19 July for a limited time only in Manchester at the Trafford Centre.

For those who visited the sold-out Jurassic World: The Exhibition at ExCel Arena London in 2022, this Manchester exhibition will showcase some additional fan-favourite dinosaurs from Jurassic World.

Visitors can look forward to seeing the armoured adult Ankylosaurus and the ferocious Carnotaurus… and the good news, it’s only a short drive from Liverpool.

Jurassic World: The Exhibition is a family-friendly exhibit of massive proportions based on one of the biggest blockbuster franchises in cinema history.

Visitors will walk through the iconic Jurassic World gates, explore richly themed environments, and encounter life-sized dinosaurs like the Brachiosaurus, Velociraptors (including fan-favourite Blue), and the mighty Tyrannosaurus rex.

Guests will be able to imagine what it would have been like to roam amongst these breathtaking creatures, and interact with baby dinosaurs, including “Bumpy” from the popular animated series Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous.

Following an initial launch in Melbourne, Australia, The exhibition has become a global success with over eight million visitors. It has opened its gates to excited fans in numerous cities around the world such as Sydney, Toronto, Houston, San Diego, Chicago, Paris, Shanghai, Cologne, and Berlin.

Simon Layton, Centre Director at Trafford Centre, said:

“We’re passionate about creating extraordinary experiences for all of our visitors, so the arrival of Jurassic World: The Exhibition to the Trafford Centre – its first time in the North – is hugely exciting. This experience promises a fun-filled, roarsome day out for all the family!”

“Jurassic World: The Exhibition achieved tremendous success, receiving the accolade of being the longest-running event at ExCeL London when it premiered in the United Kingdom in 2022,” said Executive Chairman & Group CEO of NEON, Mr. Ron Tan. “We are ecstatic to be back here with another exceptional experience, showcasing new dinosaurs to awe our friends in Manchester and beyond. Together with our partners, we look forward to welcoming huge crowds to come experience this prehistoric world like no other.”

Universal Parks & Resorts’ president of global business development, Michael Silver, said:

“We are thrilled to open Jurassic World: The Exhibition for the second time in the United Kingdom. The Jurassic Park and Jurassic World franchise have been thrilling audiences for decades and we are delighted to give fans the opportunity to see these magnificent dinosaurs up close.”

The exhibition starts 19 July 2024 for a limited time at the Trafford Centre Manchester, Peel 7 car park, opposite John Lewis.

Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. on Thursday, 13 June 2024, exclusively on Ticketmaster.

General admission prices for Jurassic World: The Exhibition start at £13 for children (ages 3-15). Family and group tickets are also available, as well as special pricing for senior citizens and students. Please note that all tickets are valid for a specific time slot.

The Trafford Centre is just a short journey from Liverpool, making it a perfect day trip for families and dinosaur enthusiasts.

Don’t miss out on this extraordinary opportunity to experience the magic and wonder of Jurassic World.

For more info on Jurassic World: The Exhibition click here.

Life has found a way to bring this celebration of the ‘Jurassic Park’ franchise and lifelike dinos back to Melbourne.

Welcome to… your latest reason to be surrounded by lifelike prehistoric creatures in 2024. After roaring into Sydney in 2023, and teasing a trip further south since early this year, Jurassic World: The Exhibition has a date with Melbourne from August.

When you head to The Fever Exhibition Hall from Friday, August 2, expect to feel like you’ve been transported to Isla Nublar, complete with a walk through the big-screen saga’s famed gates. From there, you’ll mosey around themed environments featuring life-sized versions of the movie franchise’s dinos, including a brachiosaurus, velociraptors — yes, get ready to say “clever girl” — and a Tyrannosaurus rex.

Also linking in with the animated Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous series, there’ll be baby dinos, such as the show’s Bumpy.

Attendees will be able to get roaming while staring at animatronics, including the new ankylosaurus and carnotarus. Fingers crossed that a velociraptor pops up in advance of the exhibition’s arrival, as it did up north as well.

Now, all that’s left is to decide which Jurassic franchise character that you want to emulate (the best choices: Laura Dern’s palaeobotanist Ellie Sattler, Sam Neill’s palaeontologist Alan Grant and Jeff Goldblum’s mathematician Ian Malcolm, of course).

And no, when Michael Crichton penned Jurassic Park in 1990, then Steven Spielberg turned it into a 1993 film, they wouldn’t have expected that this’d be the result 31 years — and five more movies — later.

It’s been a great time to fascinated with dinosaurs over the past few years — we’ve seen two seasons of Prehistoric Planet on streaming in 2022 and 2023, too — and this latest exhibition arrives as part of a global tour. A showcase with the same name displayed in Melbourne back in 2016, but the new visit comes after stops everywhere from London, San Diego, Paris and Madrid to Seoul, Shanghai and Toronto.

Jurassic World: The Exhibition will return to Melbourne from Friday, August 2, 2024 — head to the exhibition’s website for tickets from 6pm on Thursday, May 23. 

Images: Universal Studios and Amblin Entertainment.

NEON, a global experience entertainment company, and the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities have announced that Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs will debut in Tokyo in spring 2025.

Following its global premiere in 2021, this immersive cultural IP experience has toured key cities in the US, Europe, and Oceania with sell-out shows in Houston, San Francisco, Paris, Sydney and more. It will make its Asian debut in 2025 at NEON’s Crevia Base Tokyo building.

This venue, formerly known as IHI Stage Around Tokyo, is being redeveloped into a high-end entertainment destination under the management of joint venture partners Itochu Property Development, Ltd., Sankei Building Co., Ltd., and NEON. It will offer an engaging and immersive experience to all guests.

Artist’s impression of NEON’s Crevia Base Tokyo building

Explore ancient Egyptian history

Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs provides guests with an insight into the life and achievements of King Ramses II, also known as Ramses the Great.

Ramses the Great ruled Egypt for nearly 67 years, one of the longest reigns of any pharaoh in ancient Egyptian history. He lived to be around 92 years old and became a symbol of Ancient Egypt’s power and splendour during the New Kingdom period (1539 to 1075 BCE), which marked the pinnacle of Egyptian civilization. Ramses was known as a fierce warrior who negotiated peace with bordering regions, and throughout his reign led the construction of various colossal buildings in his honour.

This breathtaking exhibition showcases over 180 rare artefacts and golden treasures, including unique relics such as animal mummies, jewellery, royal masks, and amulets, many of which have not previously left Egypt.

The experience is enhanced with a virtual reality journey that takes viewers on a multi-sensory tour of two of Ramses’ most outstanding monuments: the Tomb of Queen Nefertari, his adored Royal Consort, and the temples of Abu Simbel.

Dr Zahi Hawass, former Egyptian Minister of Antiquities and notable Egyptian archaeologist, says: “I am happy to announce that Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs will be coming to Japan for the very first time. This exhibition will tell us the amazing story of this great king who was a family man; a warrior; a master builder and a formidable leader who signed the world’s oldest peace treaty with the Hittites.

“This exhibition full of gold, silver and many great artefacts that have never left Egypt before, will definitely captivate the hearts of all visitors.”

Ron Tan, executive chairman and group CEO of NEON, comments: “NEON is thrilled to bring Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs to Japan, marking the very first Asian stop for this amazing experience of immense historical value. We would like to express our gratitude to the government of Egypt for entrusting their national artefacts to us and also to our esteemed partners Itochu Property Development and Sankei Building for venturing alongside us on this exciting journey.

“With our combined expertise and resources, we are poised to deliver unparalleled immersive experiences that will captivate audiences and elevate the entertainment landscape in Japan and beyond.”

Expansion in Japan

Last October, NEON announced a strategic joint venture with Itochu Property Development, Ltd. and Sankei Building Co., Ltd. This resulted in the establishment of NEON Japan K.K., a subsidiary of the NEON Group with partial ownership by its joint venture partners, spearheading creative and innovative executions of experiential entertainment with deep localisation and strong credibility in the Japanese market.

NEON Japan will convene a 5-member panel as the company’s Board of Directors to further strengthen the Group’s dedication to collaborative decision-making and leverage the local expertise of their partners.

In addition, it will assemble a skilled team of experts encompassing various business units, corporate divisions, and functional domains. This will include representation from Itochu Property Development and Sankei Building and aims to promote new and synergistic opportunities and drive the company’s growth in Japan.

Norio Matsu, president of ITOCHU Property Development, says: “We will plan various experiences around the IP partnerships under NEON to create a new type of experiential entertainment for visitors to enjoy.”

Kazunobu Iijima, president of The Sankei Building Co., Ltd. adds: “We hope to deliver excitement to many people through NEON by utilizing the network of the media group (Fuji Sankei Group).”

NEON will collaborate with local partners to incorporate innovative entertainment technologies, such as animatronics, to create engaging experiences for Japanese audiences. In keeping with its goals of expansion and innovation, the firm also intends to investigate prospects for working with Japanese intellectual property owners to create new IP experiences suited for international markets, presenting Japan’s rich cultural legacy to viewers across the globe.

As NEON Japan forms its team, it will use the expertise of its shareholders, leverage the combined talents of its partners, and hire local specialists to ensure a smooth and successful start to operations.

The NEON Group’s collaboration with Itochu Property Development, Ltd. and Sankei Building Co., Ltd., cements its commitment to delivering immersive experiences that inspire and delight audiences around the world.

Earlier this year, NEON and Warner Bros. Discovery Global Themed Entertainment revealed that Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) in Singapore is to host the Asia debut and biggest-ever engagement of Harry Potter: Visions of Magic.

Walk among life-sized moving dinosaurs at this incredible dinosaur experience, coming to Melbourne this August 2024. Join the waitlist now.

Prepare to travel to Isla Nublar without leaving Melbourne, as Jurassic World: The Exhibition heads to The Fever Exhibition Hall this August 2024. Step through the iconic Jurassic World gates, and prepare to meet life-sized moving dinosaurs. Tickets for the exciting journey go on sale on May 23 at 6pm, but you can sign up to the waitlist now to gain access to the exclusive presale the day before. 

Join the waitlist now to interact with animatronic dinosaurs

Based on one of the biggest blockbusters in cinema history, Jurassic World invites you to be a guest of honour at this dinosaur experience. The park that was only a promise, now becomes a reality and guests will be able to walk among incredible relics of history. Meet friendly park rangers who will guide you through the various sections, and watch as they train raptors, feed herbivores, and keep the T-Rex under control. From tiny hatchlings in the creation lab to the towering Brachiosaurus in the park, you’ll be introduced to a host of dinosaurs of all sizes and species. 

From the resident scientists, you’ll be able to learn about the amazing science behind the resurrection of dinosaurs, and even see some of the lab work in action. Don’t worry about any transgenic creations escaping though, the park rangers have this Jurassic World under control (we hope). 

Get ready to step through the gates of Jurassic World

See the fantastical park from the movie screen come to life at this incredible experience, suitable for both seasoned and junior explorers. Make sure to join the waitlist soon to ensure your spot at this exciting new dinosaur adventure. 

Sign up to the waitlist for Jurassic World: The Exhibition coming to Melbourne soon

BOISE, Idaho — Mummies of The World: The Exhibition is now being showcased at the Discovery Center of Idaho. The exhibit features six galleries highlighting real mummies from all over the world.

• Mummies of The World is one of the largest collections of real mummies and related artifacts ever assembled.
• The exhibit will be on display until Fall of 2024.

“All the human mummies in this exhibition are real and were once living people with families and friends. They are human beings and must be treated with dignity and respect in their death.”

“This exhibition is really unique because it combines a lot of different types of sciences so you know, archaeology, biology a lot of the medical sciences,” says Erin Seymour, the Education Director at the Discovery Center of Idaho.

She tells me that the exhibit has a variety of mummies, some of which may be between 500 and 1000 years old.

“They are all real mummies so remains of humans and animals. You won’t see just your traditional mummies like the one behind me. There are some that are more skeletal looking that have been preserved in different ways… Mummies are different than skeletons, to be a Mummy It has to be preserved with soft tissue so skin, hair, muscle, something like that has to be preserved over time in order to make it a mummy,” says Seymour.

For visitors like Robert Blum and his family, the exhibit is a unique way to explore the past.

Interactive multimedia show in Resort World Sentosa

Following the success of its world premiere in Germany, Harry Potter: Visions of Magic will now be showcased in Southeast Asia at Singapore Resorts World Sentosa.

Harry Potter: Visions of Magic, the iconic Warner Bros franchise, will have its largest-ever engagement for its Asia Premiere at Singapore’s resort island Resorts World Sentosa (RWS). Hosted by Warner Bros Discovery Global Themed Entertainment and Neon, this multimedia show will be featured within RWS beginning in fall of 2024.

According to a press statement by Neon, an experiential entertainment firm, Harry Potter: Visions of Magic will be an interactive art experience exploring some of the most mysterious corners of the wizarding world across more than 3,716 sqm venue.

Neon says that the show will feature a series of immersive environments inspired by enigmatic places in the magical community, like the ‘Room of Requirement’, ‘Newt’s Menagerie’ and the ‘Ministry of Magic’.

The statement says that these will be created by a responsive video content, bold architecture and original soundscapes for multi-sensory installations, while interactive technology invites guests to illuminate the invisible, revealing visions of magic that bring the entire experience to life.

“Harry Potter: Vision of Magic combines our beloved franchise with an interactive art experience creating an all-new kind of ‘magic’ for our fans. Not only are we excited to be bringing the world tour to our fans in Singapore but to be expanding the experience with never-before-seen environments,” says Peter van Roden, Senior Vice President, Warner Bros. Discovery Global Themed Entertainment.

“We are thrilled to hold the Asia premiere of this unique experience right here at Resorts World Sentosa, bringing Harry Potter: Visions of Magic to our friends and families in Singapore, as well as to visitors from across the world. This exciting endeavour is made possible with the tremendous support from our valued partners at Warner Bros Discovery Global Themed Entertainment and Resorts World Sentosa,” says Ron Tan, Executive Chairman and Group CEO of Neon.

“Distinctively, we would like to express our thanks to Peter van Roden, Senior Vice President, Warner Bros Discovery Global Themed Entertainment and Tan Hee Teck, Chief Executive Officer, Resorts World Sentosa, for their support and together, we look forward to welcoming everyone to come experience this immersive adventure where magic and wonder await at every turn,” he adds.

“Resorts World Sentosa has a stellar track record of captivating our guests with our best-in-class events and gastronomy options as well as our world-class attractions. As the inaugural host in Asia for Harry Potter: Visions of Magic, we look forward to extending a warm welcome to fans worldwide all within a magically transformed indoor setting at Resorts World Sentosa. Hosting Harry Potter: Visions of Magic at our integrated resort will create shared memorable moments for our guests. This spellbinding attraction will also anchor Resorts World Sentosa as a foremost location that offers groundbreaking experiences and global entertainment offerings,” says Tan Hee Teck, Chief Executive Officer, Resorts World Sentosa.

Largest ‘Harry Potter: Visions of Magic’ experience makes its way to Resorts World Sentosa

Potterheads — you’re in for a treat.

The biggest ‘Harry Potter: Visions of Magic’ immersive art experience will be arriving at Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) at the end of 2024.

With iconic rooms brought to life by interactive technology, you’ll be able to venture into the most enigmatic and magical corners of the wizarding world.

If you’re already anticipating the adventure, head over to the website here to register for the waitlist.

Explore magical rooms inspired by the Harry Potter realm

The experience was first launched in Germany in December 2023, and fans were treated to a real-life introduction by James and Oliver Phelps (known for playing Fred and George Weasley in the Harry Potter film series) during its grand premiere.

The brainchild of Warner Bros. Discovery Global Themed Entertainment and NEON, Singapore will be its second stop.

Potterheads can look forward to stepping into some of the series’ most enchanting places, such as the Room of Requirement, Newt’s Menagerie and the Ministry of Magic.

You’ll feel just like a part of the real deal as you walk through magical installations invigorated with responsive video content, bold architecture and original soundscapes.

If the experience in Germany is anything to go by, you can expect familiar iconography such as the Daily Prophet covers, Black family tapestry, and the brilliantly purple Knight Bus.

Guests will also be able to interact with the technology, and be awestruck by the revealing visions of magic.

Expansive venue for Potterheads to explore to their heart’s content

The experience is expected to span more than 40,000 square feet.

But an exclusive addition awaits here in Singapore, with 10,000 square feet of expanded areas yet to be unveiled.

Mr Peter van Roden, Senior Vice President of Warner Bros, said:

” Not only are we excited to be bringing the world tour to our fans in Singapore but to be expanding the experience with never-before-seen environments. “

RWS’s chief executive officer Tan Hee Teck, also said that the spectacle will cement RWS “as a foremost location that offers groundbreaking experiences and global entertainment offerings”.

To get first dibs on presale tickets, sign up for the waitlist here.

It’s going to be a magical year for Potterheads in Singapore.

Earlier in February, Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience debuted at Sentosa.

And soon, another interactive experience will arrive on our shores too.

Warner Bros. Discovery Global Themed Entertainment and Neon announced in a press release that come Fall 2024, Harry Potter: Visions of Magic will make its Asia premiere at Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore.

It will apparently be “the largest-ever engagement” and is described as a multimedia art experience.

While details are still limited, the 40,000 sq ft venue will have a series of immersive and interactive exhibitions inspired by places in the magical community.

For instance, the Room of Requirement, Newt’s Menagerie and the Ministry of Magic.

The responsive video content, architecture, original soundscapes and interactive technology will make you feel like you’re in the wizarding world itself.

The press release further says that Harry Potter: Visions of Magic combines the beloved franchise “with an interactive art experience, creating an all-new kind of ‘magic’ for fans”.

It will not only be making its debut in Asia but will also see an expanded experience, with “never-before-seen environments”.

Currently, the only other country to host the experience is Germany, where tickets are almost sold out.

While prices for the Singapore exhibit have not been released yet, tickets in Germany range from 29.90 euros(S$44) to 39.50 euros.

Eager to have a magical time? You can join the waitlist.

Harry Potter: Visions Of Magic immersive exhibition to open at RWS in late 2024

SINGAPORE – Potterheads, mark your calendars. The immersive indoor exhibition, Harry Potter: Visions Of Magic, will be heading to Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) in the fourth quarter of 2024.

Singapore will be the first Asian stop following its world premiere in Germany in December 2023, where it was launched by British actors James and Oliver Phelps, who played Weasley twins Fred and George in the Harry Potter films (2001 to 2011).

The German leg – which sold 138,000 tickets prior to its opening and spans more than 40,000 sq ft – will end its run in June before the touring exhibition heads to Singapore.

Singapore’s edition will be a bigger multimedia and interactive experience, with an additional 10,000 sq ft for more magical moments to unfold.

Guests can take their time to discover various Harry Potter elements from the eight-film series, from Daily Prophet covers to the enigmatic Black family tapestry to the glowing purple brilliance of the Knight Bus.

Explore the Room of Requirement, Newt’s Menagerie, the Ministry of Magic and other iconic Wizarding World locations. Responsive video content, bold architecture and original soundscapes create multisensory installations, while interactive technology invites guests to illuminate the invisible, revealing visions of magic that bring the entire experience to life.

Ticketing details to Harry Potter: Visions Of Magic have yet to be announced, but fans can join the waitlist at  harrypottervisionsofmagic.com/sg to receive priority access to pre-sale tickets.

British author J.K. Rowling created the fantastical Harry Potter world in 1997 with the first book Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone. For more than 25 years, the Harry Potter phenomenon has been one of the most successful and best-loved entertainment franchises in history.

Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction.

The Wizarding World continues to come to life in Singapore, and following the Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience trail in Sentosa, Resorts World will play host to the new Harry Potter: Visions of Magic interactive art experience this fall.

Singapore will also host the Asia premiere of the experience, which is likely to come to other Asian countries soon. Harry Potter: Visions of Magic made its debut in Cologne, Germany on 8 December 2023, and will run until 2 June 2024 before making its way to Singapore.

Venture into the Wizarding World as Harry Potter: Visions of Magic takes visitors on a tour through the Room of Requirement, Newt’s Menagerie, the Ministry of Magic, and other iconic locations across a 40,000 square feet venue. Created by Warner Bros. Discovery Global Themed Entertainment and experiential entertainment company NEON, the experience has nearly sold-out tickets for its German leg, and will open pre-sale tickets for its Singapore run soon, with waitlist sign-ups open on its website.

Pricing on its German site runs from S$39.20 (€26.90) for an adult ticket, and S$30.46 (€20.90) for child ticket, so prices will likely be about the same. There is no time limit for the experience, so you can enjoy meandering through the various installations.

We’re excited to see what Harry Potter: Visions of Magic is brewing at Resorts World Sentosa, so stay tuned for more updates!

The Harry Potter: Visions of Magic Asia premiere is coming to RWS

Potterheads – the Harry Potter: Visions of Magic spectacle is coming to Singapore this year. Clear your calendars this Q4 and get ready for what’s slated to be the biggest-ever installation of the multisensory, immersive experience, which is hitting Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) sometime in fall.

Enter the wizarding world

ICYMI, the exhibition first premiered in Cologne, Germany last December to an almost-completely sold-out run, selling more than 138,000 tickets even before they opened.

The interactive art experience recreates locations from the wizarding world of Harry Potter, inviting fans to “illuminate the invisible”, or illuminate your own visions.

You’ll literally get to enter Harry Potter’s magical world, with entire spaces inspired by iconic locations such as the Room of Requirement, Newt’s Menagerie, and the Ministry of Magic – to name a few.

The multi-sensory experiences promise interactive video content, with original soundscapes from the franchise and Fantastic Beasts instalments that will transport you into that magical realm of the Potterverse.

Largest-ever space

The Singapore run of the spectacle is said to cover more than 40,000 sqft, AKA 10,000 sqft larger than the space that they had in Germany.

Even if you’ve already been to the show over in Europe, or are intending to visit before it ends its run this June, you’ll definitely want to book a ticket to the Singapore edition – the journey has been jazzed up and specially curated for RWS.

Book your tickets ahead of time

If you’ve honed your ticket-camping skills for Taytay, this is time to oil those engines and get your fastest fingers ready. Join the waitlist to get first dibs on pre-sale tickets before they launch to the public. Tickets at the Cologne experience are priced between €26.90-34.50 (~S$40-50), so you might probably be looking at similar prices here too.

It’s not clear when exactly the interactive experience will open, or how long it will run for – all we know is that you can expect it in Fall 2024. We’ll update this post with more details when we get them.

Join the ticket pre-sale waitlist here

If the Forbidden Forest Experience wasn’t enough wizarding for you, get ready for a treat at the end of the year

Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) is gearing up for spellbinding event like never before. Hailing from Germany, the immersive “Harry Potter: Visions of Magic” debuts in Singapore this year.                                                                      

What to expect at the upcoming Harry Potter exhibition in Singapore?

Following its sensational success in Germany, where it saw overwhelming demand with over 138,000 tickets sold prior to opening, Harry Potter: Visions of Magic is set to captivate audiences in Singapore.

As the exhibition is still under development, there has not been any confirmed images of the set. However, we do know that the sets are inspired by iconic locations from the Harry Potter realm, such as the Room of Requirement, Newt’s Menagerie, and the Ministry of Magic.

Through responsive video content, bold architecture, and original soundscapes, visitors will be plunged into a multi-sensory adventure that brings the magic to life.

When is it launching?

Set to debut in the fourth quarter of 2024, this multimedia exhibition will take place across a sprawling 40,000 square foot venue within RWS.

Fans eager to embark on this magical journey can join the exclusive waitlist on their website for priority access to pre-sale tickets and insider insights.

Harry Potter: Visions of Magic

Date: Q4 2024

Location: Resorts World Sentosa
Opening hours: TBC

Harry Potter fans have it good this year with Harry Potter: Visions of Magic, a unique multimedia spectacle set to open at Singapore’s Resorts World Sentosa in the Fall of 2024. This will be the experience’s Asia premiere and its largest-ever engagement.  

Harry Potter: Visions of Magic, created by Warner Bros. Discovery Global Themed Entertainment and NEON, is an evocative and interactive art experience. It had its world premiere in Germany.

Harry Potter: Visions of Magic: Explore the Wizarding World

Harry Potter: Visions of Magic at Resorts World Sentosa will be a chance for fans in Southeast Asia to explore some of the most mysterious corners of the wizarding world across a more than 40,000 square foot venue.

Discover a series of immersive environments inspired by enigmatic places in the magical community, like the Room of Requirement, Newt’s Menagerie, the Ministry of Magic, and more.

Potterheads can engage with responsive video content, bold architecture, and original soundscapes. It is an opportunity for fans to immerse themselves in breathtaking multi-sensory installations where interactive technology illuminate the invisible, revealing visions of magic that bring the entire experience to life.

At Harry Potter: Visions of Magic’s Asian premiere, fans of Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts can look forward to a newly enhanced journey created specifically for Resorts World Sentosa.

There will be an additional 10,000 square feet of expanded spaces to create a  unique, and never-to-be-forgotten journey found exclusively in Singapore at this premium lifestyle destination resort.

“Harry Potter: Vision of Magic combines our beloved franchise with an interactive art experience creating an all-new kind of ‘magic’ for our fans,” said Mr Peter van Roden, Senior Vice President, Warner Bros. Discovery Global Themed Entertainment. “Not only are we excited to be bringing the world tour to our fans in Singapore but to be expanding the experience with never-before-seen environments.”

“We are thrilled to hold the Asia premiere of this unique experience right here at Resorts World Sentosa, bringing Harry Potter: Visions of Magic to our friends and families in Singapore, as well as to visitors from across the world,” said Mr. Ron Tan, Executive Chairman & Group CEO of NEON. “This exciting endeavour is made possible with the tremendous support from our valued partners at Warner Bros. Discovery Global Themed Entertainment and Resorts World Sentosa. Distinctively, we would like to express our thanks to Mr. Peter van Roden, Senior Vice President, Warner Bros. Discovery Global Themed Entertainment and Mr. Tan Hee Teck, Chief Executive Officer, Resorts World Sentosa, for their support and together, we look forward to welcoming everyone to come experience this immersive adventure where magic and wonder await at every turn.”

Join the Waitlist for Tickets to Harry Potter: Visions of Magic

In Germany, there was a close to complete sell-out of tickets to Harry Potter: Visions of Magic with Ticketmaster Germany honored NEON with the Highest Pre-sale Award. 

If you are looking forward to Harry Potter: Visions of Magic in Singapore, you can join the exclusive waitlist today at harrypottervisionsofmagic.com.sg and receive priority access to pre-sale tickets and insights into this interactive artistic celebration of the iconic film series.

If you are a Harry Potter fan, you should also check out this other Harry Potter experience in Singapore.

Harry Potter: Visions Of Magic will be at Resorts World Sentosa. The immersive, indoor exhibition debuted in Germany last year.

Good news, Potterheads – another Harry Potter-themed attraction will be heading to Singapore this year.

Harry Potter: Visions Of Magic will be making its Asia debut at Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) in late 2024, announced Warner Bros. Discovery Global Themed Entertainment and NEON in a press release on Wednesday (Mar 27).

In the interactive art exhibition, visitors can explore some of the most mysterious corners of the wizarding world, such as the Room of Requirement, Newt’s Menagerie and the Ministry of Magic.

And unlike the Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience, this exhibition has an indoor venue, which spans over 40,000 sq ft. 

It will bring magic to life with multi-sensory installations and interactive technology, including responsive video content, bold architecture and original soundscapes. 

“Harry Potter: Vision Of Magic combines our beloved franchise with an interactive art experience creating an all-new kind of ‘magic’ for our fans,” said Peter van Roden, Senior Vice President of Warner Bros. Discovery Global Themed Entertainment. 

“Not only are we excited to be bringing the world tour to our fans in Singapore but to be expanding the experience with never-before-seen environments.”

Before coming to Singapore, the exhibition made its world premiere in Cologne, Germany in December last year, where around 138,000 tickets were sold before the grand opening. The Singapore edition is said to be even bigger, with an additional 10,000 sq ft of space.

The exact date of the launch has yet to be announced.

Visitors can join the waitlist and receive priority access to presale tickets and insights on harrypottervisionsofmagic.com

• The Room of Requirement
• Newt’s Menagerie
• The Ministry of Magic

Photo from Harry Potter: Visions of Magic

Enhanced immersive experience will open at Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) in Singapore in the 4th quarter of 2024

NEON, a global experience entertainment company, and Warner Bros. Discovery Global Themed Entertainment have revealed that the Asia debut and biggest-ever engagement of Harry Potter: Visions of Magic will be hosted by Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) in Singapore.

The unique multimedia spectacular is set to open at RWS in Q4 2024.

Unique, enhanced experience

Harry Potter: Visions of Magic is an engaging, interactive art experience created by Warner Bros. Discovery Global Themed Entertainment and NEON. It explores some of the most intriguing elements of the wizarding world over a space of more than 40,000 square feet.

Visitors can explore intriguing environments inspired by mysterious locations including the Ministry of Magic, Newt’s Menagerie, the Room of Requirement, and others. Captivating multi-sensory works have been created using responsive video content, bold architecture, and unique soundscapes. In addition, interactive technology allows visitors to discover magical visions that bring the whole experience to life.

Harry Potter: Visions of Magic will open in Southeast Asia following a highly successful world premiere in Germany. At Resorts World Sentosa, fans can enjoy a new enhanced experience developed for the premium lifestyle destination resort, which boasts an additional 10,000 square feet of exhibition space.

Peter van Roden, senior vice president, Warner Bros. Discovery Global Themed Entertainment, says: “Harry Potter: Visions of Magic combines our beloved franchise with an interactive art experience creating an all-new kind of ‘magic’ for our fans. Not only are we excited to be bringing the world tour to our fans in Singapore but to be expanding the experience with never-before-seen environments.”

Global acclaim

The experience has been well-received globally, with a near-complete sell-out in Germany. The tremendous demand for tickets, which exceeded 138,000 tickets before the grand opening, testifies to the uniqueness of this event. NEON was awarded the Highest Pre-sale Award from Ticketmaster Germany in recognition of the exhibition’s success at its inaugural venue.

Ron Tan, executive chairman and Group CEO of NEON, comments: “We are thrilled to hold the Asia premiere of this unique experience right here at Resorts World Sentosa, bringing Harry Potter: Visions of Magic to our friends and families in Singapore, as well as to visitors from across the world. This exciting endeavour is made possible with the tremendous support from our valued partners at Warner Bros. Discovery Global Themed Entertainment and Resorts World Sentosa.

“Distinctively, we would like to express our thanks to Mr. Peter van Roden, Senior Vice President, Warner Bros. Discovery Global Themed Entertainment and Mr. Tan Hee Teck, Chief Executive Officer, Resorts World Sentosa, for their support and together, we look forward to welcoming everyone to come experience this immersive adventure where magic and wonder await at every turn.”

Tan Hee Teck, chief executive officer, Resorts World Sentosa, adds: “Resorts World Sentosa has a stellar track record of captivating our guests with our best-in-class events and gastronomy options as well as our world-class attractions. As the inaugural host in Asia for Harry Potter: Visions of Magic, we look forward to extending a warm welcome to fans worldwide all within a magically transformed indoor setting at Resorts World Sentosa.

“Hosting Harry Potter: Visions of Magic at our integrated resort will create shared memorable moments for our guests. This spellbinding attraction will also anchor Resorts World Sentosa as a foremost location that offers groundbreaking experiences and global entertainment offerings.”

The event is set to captivate audiences of all ages from across the world. To join the waiting list and gain priority access to the ticket pre-sale, please click here.

Last month, NEON revealed that Avatar: The Experience at Cloud Forest at Gardens by the Bay, Singapore has received over 2.5 million visitors.

HOUSTON – Well now you can because Jurassic World: The Exhibition has roared its way into Houston!

This massive 20,000 square foot family-friendly exhibit, based on one of the biggest blockbuster franchises in movie history, is now open at Katy Mills Mall.

And this isn’t your ordinary, dinosaurs exhibit…this one was built to scale with the movie!

The exhibit recently opened and has already become a favorite for Houstonians.

Visitors get to walk through the iconic Jurassic World gate, where they will most likely recognize many things inspired by the beloved films, while coming face-to-face with life-sized dinosaurs, such as the towering Brachiosaurus, Velociraptors including fan-favorite Blue, and the most fearsome of all, the mighty Tyrannosaurus rex!

Some of the elements inside the exhibit include:

– The Ferry: The journey begins aboard a ferry and a walk through of the iconic “Jurassic World” gates.

– Land of the Giants – Walk under the towering Brachiosaurus that is part of the gigantic sauropod dinosaur family, the largest creatures to ever walk the earth.

– Creation Lab: The Creation Lab is where guests can enjoy a hands-on experience and learn more about the science behind dinosaur DNA. They’ll also learn more about coprolites and the various species of dinosaurs that live at Jurassic World.

– The Raptor Paddock: Guests can walk up to the Raptor’s paddock, but don’t get too close! These creatures have sharp serrated teeth and sharp-clawed hands and feet. Their large, recurved claw is used for slashing and pinning prey.

– Gyrosphere Valley: This is the perfect place to take a picture with a baby dinosaur and discover what is under the dirt at the Dig Site. Continue the journey through this picturesque valley to climb into a life-sized gyrosphere.

– Feeding Time: The highly intelligent and extremely dangerous Indominus Rex is one of the most formidable creatures in the park. Visitors can watch as she is fed her daily meals.

– T. rex Kingdom: A high voltage fence is the only thing that separates visitors from the mighty Tyrannosaurus rex.

Get more info and tickets –> HERE!

Watch as Lauren Kelly and NEON Production Manager Bill Mann take us inside for a peek the massive exhibit!

Art display a golden opportunity to visit an ancient city that’s been frozen in time.

The award-winning Jurassic World: The Exhibition opened March 8th at Katy Mills Mall, 5000 Katy Mills Circle in Katy, with an official ribbon-cutting attended by city officials, media and other dignitaries.

Jurassic World: The Exhibition, a 20,000-square-foot family-friendly immersive experience, has now become one of the fastest selling exhibitions in history since its launch and has welcomed over 8 million visitors in cities around the world. The exhibition engages audiences of all ages in settings inspired by Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment’s Jurassic World franchise and is produced in conjunction with Universal Live Entertainment, NEON, and Animax Designs – the creators of the lifelike animatronic dinosaurs.

Jurassic World: The Exhibition is a family-friendly exhibit of massive proportions based on one of the biggest blockbuster franchises in cinema history. Visitors walk through the iconic Jurassic World gate, where they will explore richly themed environments inspired by the beloved films, coming face-to-face with life-sized dinosaurs, such as the towering Brachiosaurus, Velociraptors including fan-favorite Blue, and the most fearsome of all, the mighty Tyrannosaurus rex. Guests will imagine what it would have been like to roam amongst these breathtaking creatures, and even interact with baby dinosaurs, including “Bumpy” from the popular animated series Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous from Universal Pictures, Amblin Entertainment and DreamWorks Animation, currently streaming on Netflix.

This one-of-a-kind attraction has been created by NEON, a global leader in immersive and epic experiences and produced in conjunction with Universal Live Entertainment, a division Universal Destinations & Experiences.

The Exhibition welcomes multiple generations of Jurassic World fans to venture to the remote island made famous in the movie franchise. Some of the elements on the interactive journey that await visitors include:

• The Ferry: The journey begins aboard a ferry and a walk through of the iconic “Jurassic World” gates.
• Land of the Giants – Walk under the towering Brachiosaurus that is part of the gigantic sauropod dinosaur family, the largest creatures to ever walk the earth.
• Creation Lab: The Creation Lab is where guests can enjoy a hands-on experience and learn more about the science behind dinosaur DNA. They’ll also learn more about coprolites and the various species of dinosaurs that live at Jurassic World.
• The Raptor Paddock: Guests can walk up to the Raptor’s paddock, but don’t get too close! These creatures have sharp serrated teeth and sharp-clawed hands and feet. Their large, recurved claw is used for slashing and pinning prey.
• Gyrosphere Valley: This is the perfect place to take a picture with a baby dinosaur and discover what is under the dirt at the Dig Site. Continue the journey through this picturesque valley to climb into a life-sized gyrosphere.
• Feeding Time: The highly intelligent and extremely dangerous Indominus Rex is one of the most formidable creatures in the park. Visitors can watch as she is fed her daily meals.
•  T. rex Kingdom: A high voltage fence is the only thing that separates visitors from the mighty Tyrannosaurus rex.

Jurassic World: The Exhibition will be in Houston at Katy Mills for a limited engagement through October 26th. Tickets are available now at Jurassicworldexhibition.com. Admission to Jurassic World: The Exhibition starts at $24.00 for children (ages three to fifteen) and $31.99 for adults (ages 16 and up). Family and group tickets are also available as well as special pricing for senior citizens and students.

Kurt Baker, Executive Vice President Global Marketing for NEON said, “We very excited to bring our world renowned, award-winning Jurassic World: The Exhibition to the wonderful city of Katy in the great state of Texas. Katy is a thriving community with so much to offer, situated perfectly within great driving distance to so many families and Jurassic World fans throughout the Greater Houston area. It just felt like the perfect fit for Jurassic World: The Exhibition to visit.”

Trent Wall, executive creative director for NEON, added that the exhibition created about 100 jobs in Katy locally, with about 100 more people contracted locally. Wall, who said that he has loved Jurassic World since he was a kid, says that the exhibition gives fans the opportunity to get closer to their favorite characters in ways that they otherwise could not. “These creatures are amazing and astounding,” he said.

For further information about Jurassic World: The Exhibition, please visit Jurassicworldexhibition.com.

CINCINNATI (WXIX) – A new Pompeii exhibit is coming to the Cincinnati Museum Center.

There will be 150 artifacts taking you through what life was like in the Roman Empire thousands of years ago. It will also show you what life was like after the deadly volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius.

One of the many artifacts that will be part of Pompeii arrived Tuesday at the Cincinnati Museum Center.

The artifact, called a crater, was carefully shipped from Pompeii to Cincinnati after historians discovered it months ago. The crater was at one time buried in the volcanic ash of Mount Vesuvius in the Italian City of Pompeii.

“It’s actually a large bowl-shaped. If you look at the top of Vesuvius down, that bowl that exists now because of the explosion, that’s kind of what this is named after,” explains Head Registrar Jackie Hoff, “But its use is really still water and wine. There was an awful lot of water issues. Some of this stuff wasn’t all that wonderful to consume so they mixed it with wine.”

Hoff says she hopes when you come to the exhibit you take your time and learn about what life was like thousands of years ago.

She says you may notice some things haven’t changed much.

“I think it’s important to really look at what you’re seeing, Not just glaze by it,” continues Hoff, “Because I do think there are so many similarities in what you’ll see now vs what we actually have at our own homes now.”

The museum works with people across the globe to find the best objects and artifacts for the new exhibition.

They say it’s important to remember the volcanic eruption was tragic and claimed the lives of thousands of people and many more living things.

“The most important thing they have to bring with them is their emotions,” explains Art Conservator from Pompeii Ludovica Alesse, “Pompeii, it’s a tragic place. Animals died, people died, it was scary and so terrifying. I’d like the people that come here would be conscious about this.”

You can see the exhibit beginning February 16th through July 28th. You can purchase tickets here.

NEON, a global experience entertainment company, is celebrating the success of Avatar: The Experience at Cloud Forest at Gardens by the Bay, Singapore, which has welcomed over 2.5 million visitors.

On 28 December 2023, Florencia Santorun and Santiago Laidlaw from Argentina became the 2.5 millionth visitors. Ron Tan, executive chairman and Group CEO of the NEON Group; Felix Loh, CEO of Gardens by the Bay; and Eko Pup and Kanu Pup celebrated this historic milestone with the guests as they entered the Cloud Forest, just days before the experience ended in Singapore.

This attraction, which drew inspiration from Avatar and Avatar: The Way of Water, held the attention of global audiences for more than 14 months. By the end of its run in the Cloud Forest at Gardens by the Bay in Singapore it had welcomed a total of 2.63 million visitors.

Record-breaking attendance

Disney Location-Based Experiences, James Cameron and Jon Landau’s Lightstorm Entertainment, and NEON started working in partnership in 2021 to create an immersive walkthrough event that was inspired by the beauty and distinctive storytelling of Avatar, the highest-grossing movie of all time worldwide. The Cloud Forest at Gardens by the Bay in Singapore was the ideal setting to host this type of experience.

Avatar: The Experience formally opened on 28 October 2022, with a launch attended by the deputy prime minister of the Republic of Singapore, Heng Swee Keat, senior representatives from NEON, Singapore Tourism Board, Lightstorm Entertainment, and Disney Location-Based Experiences.

This experience has welcomed an extraordinary 2,630,925 people across 419 exhibition days, setting a new record for the most attended experience among all of NEON’s IP shows worldwide. On 24 December 2023, it reached a record daily attendance milestone of 12,251 guests, demonstrating Avatar: The Experience’s lasting appeal.

It has received global recognition for its creative and technological achievements, with NEON receiving the Outstanding Attraction Experience Award at the 2023 Singapore Tourism Awards, which are organised by the Singapore Tourism Board. This honour demonstrates the Group’s consistent dedication to creating outstanding experiences, exceptional narratives, and innovative use of immersive experiential technologies.

Its commitment to giving back to society resulted in almost 50 corporate social responsibility (CSR) visits through a partnership with Gardens by the Bay in the Gift of Gardens programme.

This community outreach initiative by the Gardens works with over 3,500 beneficiaries from charitable organisations such as Big Love Child Protection Specialist Centre, Care Corner Singapore, Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore (CPAS), Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (MINDS),  The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund, and others.

Unforgettable experience

Ron Tan, executive chairman and Group CEO of NEON, says: “It was an incredible journey of 419 days of Pandora adventure, right here at the Cloud Forest at Gardens by the Bay, since the world premiere of Avatar: The Experience on 28 October 2022.

“We are immensely thankful for the strong support from Gardens by the Bay, Disney Location-Based Experiences, and Lightstorm Entertainment and together, we would also like to express our thanks to visitors from around the world for your tremendous support.

“Welcoming over 2.6 million guests into the enchanting world of Pandora has been nothing short of phenomenal. Together, we’ve redefined the boundaries of entertainment, and we look forward to continuing this remarkable journey of innovation and imagination in our next endeavor.”

Felix Loh, CEO of Gardens by the Bay, adds: “Gardens by the Bay is honored to have been the first location in the world for Avatar: The Experience. The event has not only augmented the visitor experience, but also added a new dimension to the Cloud Forest. We look forward to curating other immersive and educational offerings for visitors as we refresh our offerings in Cloud Forest.”

The Cloud Forest experience, combined with Pandora’s bioluminescent landscapes and Na’vi culture, offers an unforgettable experience for visitors. This demonstrated NEON’s commitment to pushing boundaries and providing unmatched experiences that engage and inspire audiences globally. The firm plans to share further details about Avatar: The Experience’s next destination soon.

NEON recently announced that it has collaborated with Boston Dynamics through its fully-owned subsidiary ANIMAX, a leading creative robotic entertainment company. Together, the firms are placed to reshape the media and educational industries.

CINCINNATI (WKRC) – A new exhibit gives an up close and personal look at one of the most famous natural disasters in human history.

Pompeii: The Exhibition opens at the Cincinnati Museum Center on Feb. 16.

Cody Hefner, vice president of marketing & communications at the Cincinnati Museum Center shares a preview.

CINCINNATI — Pompeii, a city with a reputation and tragic history that most people have already heard about even thousands of years later, will be the focus of Cincinnati Museum Center’s newest visiting exhibition.

POMPEII: The Exhibition will open at CMC on February 16, when visitors will be able to see more than 150 artifacts on loan from Italy. Presale tickets will also be available.

The eruption of Mount Vesivius on August 24, 79 A.D. forever changed the landscape, both destroying and preserving the city of Pompeii.

“Pompeii is a remarkable story that exists as both ancient legend and archaeological treasure, providing a timeless snapshot of daily life in the Roman Empire,” said Elizabeth Pierce, president and CEO of CMC, in a press release.

The artifacts visitors will be able to see are on loan from the National Archaeological Museum of Naples in Italy, and they include preserved mosaics and frescoes, gladiator armor, statues, jewelry and everyday items that provide a glimpse into the day-to-day lives of those who lived in Pompeii.

“We wanted to bring this historical event back to life and allow guests to relive it vividly,” said John Norman, president of World Heritage Exhibitions and producer of the exhibit. “Cincinnati Museum Center’s reputation as a premiere venue makes it a perfect location to exhibit these international treasures and provide audiences an opportunity to experience life in the bustling city of Pompeii before time essentially stopped.”

The exhibit has several immersive experiences as well, including an introductory theater that shows reconstructions of Pompeii and its neighbor, Vesuvius. There will also be holographic gladiatorial combat and a simulated 4D eruption theater that give guests an idea of the full impact Vesuvius had on Pompeii and the people who were trapped within.

Remember learning about Pompeii in school? You know, the ancient Roman city destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. and frozen in time, remarkably preserved under ash?

Cincinnatians will soon be able to see what daily life was like in Pompeii before, during and after the disastrous volcano eruption when Pompeii: The Exhibition comes to Cincinnati Museum Center next month.

The touring exhibition will run Feb. 16 through July 28.

Guests will seem to travel back in time to ancient Pompeii by examining more than 150 authentic artifacts on loan from the National Archaeological Museum of Naples in Italy, including everyday objects, mosaics and even body casts of people who were buried in the ash.

Visitors will also witness the destruction of Pompeii through a dramatic 4D theatrical experience.

“We wanted to bring this historical event back to life and allow guests to relive it vividly,” John Norman, president of World Heritage Exhibitions, producer of Pompeii: The Exhibition, said in a release.

Pompeii was a coastal city in the Roman Empire near present-day Naples, Italy. On Aug. 24, 79 A.D., nearby Mount Vesuvius erupted, showering the region with ash and pumice, according to Encyclopedia Britannica. The city and its people were buried more than 20 feet deep and preserved until excavation of the site began in 1748.

“We’re honored to be entrusted with these archaeological treasures and to once again bring the world to Cincinnati, and to do so in immersive fashion as we transport guests back in time to a period of splendor and a day of timeless catastrophe,” said Elizabeth Pierce, president and CEO of Cincinnati Museum Center.

Tickets go on sale Jan. 29, but visitors can sign up for exclusive presale access through Jan. 21, with the presale period Jan. 22 to 28.

An international exhibition that brings a historic catastrophe to life in vivid detail is coming to Cincinnati next month.

“Pompei: The Exhibition,” which details the eruption of Mount Vesuvius that buried the Italian city in 79 A.D., will open at the Cincinnati Museum Center Feb. 16 and run through July 29. It features more than 150 artifacts on loan from a collection of the National Archaeological Museum of Naples, Italy, including mosaics, frescoes, gladiator armor, statues, jewelry, tools and more.

“Pompeii is a remarkable story that exists as both ancient legend and archaeological treasure, providing a timeless snapshot of daily life in the Roman Empire,” Elizabeth Pierce, president and CEO of the museum center, said in a news release. “We’re honored to be entrusted with these archaeological treasures and to once again bring the world to Cincinnati, and to do so in immersive fashion as we transport guests back in time to a period of splendor and a day of timeless catastrophe.”

The sudden event that destroyed the port city – and its people – also preserved it. Centuries later, archaeologists uncovered a rare record of daily life at the height of the Roman Empire. Ongoing excavations and research, including by teams from the University of Cincinnati, continue to add to the evolving picture of a city frozen in time.

In addition to the artifacts, the exhibition’s immersive experiences includes:

In a dramatic fusion of science and cinema, Jurassic World: The Exhibition is set to thrill visitors with its lifelike animatronic dinosaurs and immersive film settings. Scheduled to open in Houston on March 8, 2024, this family-friendly experience has already proven its mettle by becoming one of the fastest-selling exhibitions in history, captivating over eight million visitors worldwide.

The Jurassic World Experience

As visitors traverse the iconic gates of Jurassic World, they are transported into a universe of adventure, a realm where humans and dinosaurs coexist. The exhibition features awe-inspiring behemoths such as the Brachiosaurus and Velociraptors, and the formidable Tyrannosaurus rex, expertly brought to life through animatronics.

The exhibition also introduces guests to endearing baby dinosaurs, including ‘Bumpy’ from the Netflix animated series. This interactive element of the exhibit invites visitors to envision a world where humanity and these ancient creatures cohabitate, a testament to the exhibition’s commitment to providing a truly immersive experience.

Collaborative Effort Behind the Exhibition

This extraordinary exhibit is a collaborative endeavor involving Universal Live Entertainment, NEON, and Animax Designs. NEON, also known as Cityneon, boasts an impressive portfolio of immersive experiences forged in partnership with major entertainment companies. Among their credits are experiences like Marvel Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N., AVATAR: The Exhibition, and The Hunger Games: The Exhibition.

Universal Live Entertainment, a division of Universal Destinations & Experiences, operates theme parks globally. They have been instrumental in bringing to life advanced attractions based on film and television, providing immersive experiences in collaboration with leading entertainment companies.

The Jurassic World Franchise

The Jurassic World franchise extends beyond the realm of cinema, offering a universe of adventure and coexistence with dinosaurs through various entertainment mediums. It includes theme parks and exhibitions, all carrying the ethos of thrilling adventure and the fascinating premise of cohabitation with dinosaurs, an idea that continues to captivate audiences of all ages.

Life Finds A Way in Melbourne later this year.

In a world where dinosaurs once again roam the earth, the award-winning Jurassic World: The Exhibition will be packing up its bags in Sydney on Sunday, 18 February 2024, and making its way to Melbourne for a colossal experience that promises to bring the prehistoric era to life right in the heart of the city.

The immersive experience, based on one of cinema’s biggest blockbuster franchises, allows visitors to walk through the iconic “Jurassic World” gates, come face to face with life-sized dinosaurs, and interact with baby dinos, including the adorable “Bumpy” from the animated series Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous, currently streaming on Netflix.

As the exhibition closes its gates in Sydney in February after recent record-breaking engagements around the globe, including cities like London, San Diego, and Seoul, Melbourne is set to become the next stop in this incredible journey. With nearly eight million tickets sold since its launch, Jurassic World: The Exhibition has become one of the fastest-selling exhibitions in history.

The lifelike animatronic dinosaurs, created by Animax Designs, will once again take centre stage in Melbourne, promising an unforgettable experience for audiences of all ages. From the towering brachiosaurus to the speedy velociraptors and the mighty Tyrannosaurus Rex, get ready to walk in the land of Jurassic giants.

This prehistoric extravaganza is not just about dinosaurs; it’s a celebration of 30 years of the film franchise that began with the iconic 1993 movie Jurassic Park. Produced in conjunction with Universal Live Entertainment, NEON, SuperLuna, Masterworks, Sony Music Entertainment Australia, and Animax Designs, the exhibition is a testament to the creativity and innovation behind bringing these extinct creatures back to life.

The Melbourne waitlist is now open, and you can be the first to know when tickets go on sale here. 

Filled with lifelike dinosaurs, the celebration of the ‘Jurassic Park’ franchise first came to Melbourne in 2016 — and it’s returning.

When 2024 kicked off in Melbourne, it did so with arrival of Dinos Alive: An Immersive Experience in the Victorian capital; however, that isn’t your only chance to see lifelike prehistoric creatures in 2024. Once it ends its current Sydney season, Jurassic World: The Exhibition will roar into town with its own critters, as well as a celebration of three decades since the first Jurassic Park movie initially rampaged across the big screen.

Yes, it’s been a great time to fascinated with dinosaurs over the past few years — we’ve seen two seasons of Prehistoric Planet on streaming in 2022 and 2023, too — and this latest exhibition arrives as part of a global tour. A showcase with the same name displayed in Melbourne back in 2016, but the new visit comes after stops everywhere from London, San Diego, Paris and Madrid to Seoul, Shanghai and Toronto. On offer: life-sized versions of the movie franchise’s animals.

Expect to feel like you’ve been transported to Isla Nublar, complete with a walk through the big-screen saga’s famed gates. From there, you’ll walk through themed environments featuring dinos, including a brachiosaurus, velociraptors — yes, get ready to say “clever girl” — and a Tyrannosaurus rex.

Also linking in with the animated Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous series, there’ll be baby dinos, including the show’s Bumpy.

So far, dates for Jurassic World: The Exhibition‘s latest Melbourne stint haven’t been revealed, and neither has a venue, but you can join the waitlist to find out as soon as details are announced. The showcase finishes in Sydney on Sunday, February 18, so expect it in Victoria sometime afterwards.

Whenever it does start roaring, attendees will be able to get roaming while staring at animatronic dinos, including the new ankylosaurus and carnotarus. Fingers crossed that a velociraptor pops up in advance of the exhibition’s arrival, as it did up north as well.

Now, all that’s left is to decide which Jurassic franchise character you want to emulate (the best choices: Laura Dern’s palaeobotanist Ellie Sattler, Sam Neill’s palaeontologist Alan Grant and Jeff Goldblum’s mathematician Ian Malcolm, of course).

And no, when Michael Crichton penned Jurassic Park in 1990, then Steven Spielberg turned it into a 1993 film, they wouldn’t have expected that this’d be the result 31 years — and five more movies — later.

Jurassic World: The Exhibition will return to Melbourne in 2024, sometime after finishing in Sydney on Sunday, February 18 — head to the exhibition’s website to join the ticket waitlist. 

Images: Universal Studios and Amblin Entertainment.

Visitors are flocking to the Australian Museum in Sydney, lured by the allure of ancient Egypt, as the ‘Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs’ exhibition attracts public attention. With pre-sales already exceeding 100,000 tickets, this event marks a high point in the museum’s recent history and continues a trend of fascination with Ancient Egypt that dates back to 1988. The ‘Gold of the Pharaohs’ exhibition then had drawn a million visitors across Brisbane, Perth, Sydney, and Melbourne. While matching those numbers may seem ambitious, the current interest suggests a successful run under Museum Director Kim McKay’s stewardship.

The Charm of Artefacts in a Digital Age

One might wonder about the enduring appeal of artifact exhibitions, especially in a world increasingly dominated by digital experiences. The answer, perhaps, lies in the unique charm of viewing physical objects from an era long past. The ‘Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs’ exhibition, with over 180 priceless artifacts, including the breathtaking coffin of Ramses himself, resonates with this sentiment. The power of these artifacts lies in their ability to transport visitors back over 2000 years, offering glimpses into the life of Ramses the Great, the most celebrated and powerful pharaoh of the New Kingdom.

A New Chapter for the Museum

The museum’s recent success is also a testament to its significant renovations. The unveiling of the new Minerals Gallery is expected to add to its appeal, setting it apart from traditional art museums. The Australian Museum, while popular for exhibitions on themes like dinosaurs and Ancient Egypt, also serves as a central hub for scientific research. This blend of education and entertainment is a key element in its enduring popularity.

‘Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs’: A Detailed Experience

The exhibition not only features priceless artifacts but also employs multimedia productions, moving animation images, and narrow spaces to enhance the visitor experience. However, this in-depth exploration of ancient Egypt is not a casual endeavor. Tickets are timed and non-refundable, reflecting the museum’s commitment to maintaining a rich, focused visitor experience.

In the heart of Sydney, the Australian Museum is making waves with an exhibit that resonates with the public’s enduring fascination for Ancient Egypt. The exhibition, titled ‘Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs,’ has already sold over 100,000 pre-sale tickets, indicating a substantial interest in this showcase of the past.

Recapturing the Glory of 1988

The excitement surrounding the ‘Ramses’ exhibit recalls the success of the ‘Gold of the Pharaohs’ exhibition in 1988. This event became a cultural phenomenon, drawing a million visitors across Brisbane, Perth, Sydney, and Melbourne. Achieving a similar feat today would require attracting 1.6 million visitors, a daunting figure, but the museum remains optimistic.

Leadership and Evolution

The museum’s confidence is not unfounded. Under the stewardship of Kim McKay over the past decade, the institution has made significant strides, including an impressive array of exhibits and extensive renovations. Among these enhancements is the new Minerals Gallery, showcasing the museum’s dedication not just to history, but to the larger realm of scientific research.

The Allure of Artifact Exhibitions

Artifact exhibitions like ‘Ramses’ offer a unique appeal. They provide a direct, tangible connection to ancient civilizations, allowing visitors to engage with objects that have survived the test of time. The allure of exhibitions like ‘Ramses’ is undeniable, as they offer a chance to touch a piece of history and engage with a civilization that continues to captivate the public imagination.

The “Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs” exhibition at the Australian Museum in Sydney has achieved remarkable success during the Christmas and New Year’s celebrations, with all tickets for the month of January sold out.

Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities  Mustafa Waziri has stated that the exhibition has witnessed a huge turnout of visitors, noting that on the first day, 110,000 tickets were sold out.

More than 500 invitees, including senior public and government figures, archaeology specialists in Australia, influencers, and bloggers, attended the opening celebration, he added.

The exhibition includes 182 artifacts, including the coffin of King Ramses II from the collections of the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, which joined the exhibition in its third stop in Paris.

The exhibition showcases many pieces from the collections of the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir from the era of King Ramesses II and the finds of the Egyptian mission in the Bubastiyun area in Saqqara. Additionally, it features a collection of statues, ornaments, cosmetics, paintings, and stone blocks decorated with carvings, as well as some colorful wooden coffins.

The exhibition is on its fourth stop and will run until May 19, 2024, after previously showing in Houston, San Francisco, and Paris.

Since its inception as an MIT spinoff, Boston Dynamics has been known for its entertaining robotic systems. The Hyundai-owned company has gained popularity through the release of numerous viral videos over the years. While entertainment has been a secondary focus for the company, Boston Dynamics is now shifting its attention towards it. In a recent announcement, the company revealed a partnership with Neon, a Singapore-based entertainment brand.

Neon, the parent company of Animax Designs, is known for creating animatronics for major Hollywood franchises such as Avatar, Jurassic Park, Marvel, and Harry Potter. The collaboration between Boston Dynamics and Neon is expected to result in a captivating experience for audiences. Although specific details have not been disclosed, the partnership aims to engage, inspire, and dazzle audiences with a reveal planned for the end of 2024.

Boston Dynamics’ expertise in producing robust and untethered autonomous systems at scale is a significant advantage for Neon and Animax. The world of theme park robots has evolved in recent years, with Disneyland’s Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge featuring interactive robots that interact with park visitors. The collaboration will leverage Boston Dynamics’ cutting-edge technology and Neon’s storytelling expertise to create fully untethered entertainment robots.

This collaboration marks another milestone in Boston Dynamics’ commercialization roadmap, which began with the introduction of the Spot quadruped and the truck unloading robot, Stretch. However, the company has a long history in the entertainment industry. In 1993, Boston Dynamics’ founder, Marc Raibert, and his team produced robots for the set of the film “Rising Sun,” starring Sean Connery, Wesley Snipes, and Michael Crichton.

Boston Dynamics’ partnership with Neon signifies a strategic move towards the entertainment sector. By combining their technological expertise with Neon’s storytelling capabilities, the collaboration aims to create captivating and interactive experiences for audiences. The reveal at the end of 2024 is highly anticipated, and it remains to be seen what innovative creations will emerge from this exciting collaboration.

Since the company’s earliest days as an MIT spinoff, Boston Dynamics’ systems have always provided entertainment value. It’s something the Hyundai-owned firm has long embraced by releasing dozens of wildly viral videos over the decades.

With a few exceptions, however, entertainment was more of side benefit than the ultimate goal. That, however, will be changing in the near future, as the firm just announced a deal with Singapore-based entertainment brand, Neon.

Notably (for our purposes, at least), Neon is the parent company of Animax Designs. The Nashville-based firm has created theme park and exhibition animatronics for some of Hollywood’s biggest franchises, including Avatar, Jurassic Park, Marvel and Harry Potter.

No real specifics have been disclosed, beyond the fact that the deal “is set to culminate with a reveal at the end of 2024 that will engage, inspire, and dazzle audiences.” Whether than means theme park robots or something else entirely is unclear for now.

A huge benefit for Neon/Animax is Boston Dynamics’ ability to produce robust and untethered autonomous systems at scale. The world of theme park robots has transformed in recent years, with experiences like Disneyland’s Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge exhibiting robots that intermingle with park goers.

“We are thrilled about the collaboration with Neon and Animax for the development of fully untethered entertainment robots,” Boston Dynamics Chief Strategy Officer Marc Theermann notes in a release. “These exceptionally interactive creatures are poised to captivate consumers through novel and exciting engagements. By joining forces with Neon, a frontrunner in immersive storytelling, we’re blending our cutting-edge technology with their enchanting storytelling expertise.”

The deal marks another step in Boston Dynamics’ commercialization roadmap, which began with the Spot quadruped and the truck unloading robot, Stretch. The company’s entertainment roots stretch back even further, however. Marc Raibert and team also produced robots for the set of 1993’s Sean Connery/Wesley Snipes/Michael Crichton film, “Rising Sun.”

In a landmark collaboration, NEON Group Limited, through its subsidiary ANIMAX, has joined forces with robotics giant Boston Dynamics to drive a revolutionary shift in the entertainment and educational arenas. This strategic partnership aims to integrate Boston Dynamics’ advanced robotics with NEON’s narrative expertise to create immersive, interactive experiences that promise to enchant global audiences.

The initiative is set to spearhead a new epoch of experiential storytelling by exploring the intersection of creativity and state-of-the-art technology. ANIMAX, a tour de force in the arena of creative robotics and themed entertainment, is poised to further its R&D pursuits, leveraging three decades of industry insights alongside the technological acumen of Boston Dynamics.

NEON’s Chief Creative & Innovation Officer, Welby Altidor, expressed a commitment to their ‘Get Closer™’ ethos, fostering a connection between technology and spectators like never before. Similarly, Boston Dynamics’ Chief Strategy Officer, Marc Theermann, conveyed enthusiasm for the initiative, recognizing the potential for these robotic marvels to revolutionize consumer engagement.

This alliance also aims to bolster ANIMAX’s global presence and meet the escalating demand for dynamic entertainment experiences. By the end of 2024, the partnership anticipates unveiling its groundbreaking advancements to an expectant worldwide audience.

Summary:

NEON and Boston Dynamics are embarking on a groundbreaking collaboration through NEON’s ANIMAX subsidiary. This union will blend Boston Dynamics’ robotic innovations with NEON’s proficiency in crafting enthralling narratives. The fusion is predicted to transform the entertainment industry by introducing interactive storytelling elements, set to be unveiled in 2024. The venture is a testament to the power of imaginative storytelling paired with leading-edge technology.

FAQ Section:

What is the collaboration about between NEON Group and Boston Dynamics?
The collaboration between NEON Group Limited, through its subsidiary ANIMAX, and Boston Dynamics is focused on integrating advanced robotics with narrative expertise to create immersive, interactive experiences in entertainment and education.

Who is ANIMAX and what is their role in this partnership?
ANIMAX is a subsidiary of NEON Group Limited, specializing in creative robotics and themed entertainment. In this partnership, they aim to further research and development by combining their storytelling skills with the technical capabilities of Boston Dynamics.

What are the expected outcomes of this collaboration?
The expected outcomes include spearheading a new era of experiential storytelling where technology and creativity intersect, enhancing global engagement through interactive experiences, and expanding ANIMAX’s global presence.

What is the ‘Get Closer™’ ethos mentioned by NEON?
The ‘Get Closer™’ ethos is NEON’s commitment to fostering deeper connections between technology and audiences, providing more engaging and intimate interactive experiences.

When can we expect to see the advancements from this collaboration?
The groundbreaking advancements resulting from this partnership are anticipated to be unveiled by the end of 2024 to a worldwide audience.

NEON, in collaboration with its subsidiary ANIMAX, announced a visionary partnership with the robotics company Boston Dynamics.

The team-up aims to redefine both the entertainment and education sectors, merging cutting-edge robotics technology with creative prowess to make immersive experiences for global audiences.

With NEON’s experiences and operational expansion, fueled by Boston Dynamics’ technology, the two companies promise to deliver new experiences that aim to push the envelope of entertainment and animatronics.

Welby Altidor, Group Chief Creative & Innovation Officer of NEON, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership.

“With Boston Dynamics, ANIMAX will embark on a journey where advanced robotics and storytelling converge, embracing our ‘Get Closer’ mantra to create intimate, immersive narratives that bring technology and audiences closer than ever,” Altidor noted.

Meanwhile, Boston Dynamics Chief Strategy Officer Marc Theermann also expressed his excitement over the collaboration. 

“By joining forces with NEON, a frontrunner in immersive storytelling, we’re blending our cutting-edge technology with their enchanting storytelling expertise,” he shared. 

While details surrounding their projects have yet to be unveiled, the two are set to make a big announcement before the end of 2024.

The Excellence of NEON and Boston Dynamics

Based in Nashville, Tennessee, NEON-ANIMAX has over 30 years of industry experience, establishing themselves as a frontrunner in creative robotic entertainment.

In the past, the two have been involved in the makings of Avatar: The Exhibition, Jurassic World: The Movie Exhibition in China, and Harry Potter: Visions of Magic, where they brought iconic characters and magical creatures to life through animatronics. 

Subsequently, Boston Dynamics has been at the forefront of robotics innovation, developing advanced robotic systems that showcase impressive capabilities.

Its projects include Spot the Robot, which has been deployed in various industries, including construction, inspection, and research. 

Atlas, a humanoid robot created by the company, has also been one of its strongest feats as it demonstrated capabilities such as dynamic walking, running, and performing acrobatic maneuvers.

NEON, a global experience entertainment company, has announced that it has partnered with Boston Dynamics through its fully-owned subsidiary ANIMAX, a leading creative robotic entertainment company. Together the companies are placed to reshape the media and educational sectors.

This partnership symbolises the future of immersive storytelling and brings together creativity and state-of-the-art technology. Through this strategic partnership, NEON’s creative expertise and Boston Dynamics’ robotics technology will be combined to create captivating experiences that will capture audiences worldwide.

Advancing robotics & storytelling

The collaboration is underpinned by Boston Dynamics‘ technology and NEON’s experiences and operational expansion. It is an extraordinary advancement which offers a leap into the future, where technology enhances human encounters in ways that were previously unimaginable.

It also offers ANIMAX, a creative robotic entertainment powerhouse based in Nashville, Tennessee, the chance to further advance its R&D. With over 30 years of industry experience, the collaboration will leverage the Group’s IP experiences across the globe. The worldwide desire for experiential entertainment prompted ANIMAX to strategically expand, and in this partnership with Boston Dynamics, the field of robotics and animatronics has never had more promise for innovation and growth.

Welby Altidor, group chief creative and innovation officer of NEON, says: “With Boston Dynamics, ANIMAX will embark on a journey where advanced robotics and storytelling converge, embracing our ‘Get Closer’ mantra to create intimate, immersive narratives that bring technology and audiences closer than ever.”

“Our partnership with Boston Dynamics represents the union of master artisans and innovative technology, creating a story that is transforming the animatronics industry,” comments Michael Mattox, executive vice president of ANIMAX. “Our combined knowledge and expertise push the envelope of entertainment and advance us to the highest level of performance. This collaboration not only supports the global expansion of ANIMAX but also fulfils the growing need for immersive entertainment experiences worldwide.”

Marc Theermann, chief strategy officer of Boston Dynamics, adds: “We are thrilled about the collaboration with NEON and ANIMAX for the development of fully untethered entertainment robots. These exceptionally interactive creatures are poised to captivate consumers through novel and exciting engagements. By joining forces with NEON, a frontrunner in immersive storytelling, we’re blending our cutting-edge technology with their enchanting storytelling expertise.”

This collaboration has the potential to reshape the entertainment landscape by delivering the most interactive and immersive storytelling experience ever seen in this sector. It establishes a solid basis for NEON, ANIMAX, and Boston Dynamics to create a deep and lasting impact, revolutionise the way stories are told, and establish relationships that cross the digital divide.

The joint endeavour will culminate in a reveal that will engage, inspire, and astound viewers at the end of 2024.

Earlier this month, NEON and Warner Bros. Discovery Global Themed Entertainment announced the opening of Harry Potter: Visions of Magic at the ODYSSEUM in Cologne, Germany. The new experience sold more than 130,000 tickets in advance of the opening day, 8 December 2023, and won Ticketmaster Germany’s ‘Blockbuster Pre-Sale Award’ for the firm.

The new experience in Cologne, Germany, sold 160,000 tickets over the opening weekend

NEON, a global experience entertainment company, and Warner Bros. Discovery Global Themed Entertainment have announced the opening of Harry Potter: Visions of Magic at the ODYSSEUM in Cologne, Germany.

The new experience, which takes visitors on a journey into the Wizarding World, sold more than 130,000 tickets ahead of the opening day on 8 December 2023. These record breaking pre-sales, earned NEON the ‘Blockbuster Pre-Sale Award’ presented by Ticketmaster Germany.

Over the opening weekend, ticket sales surpassed 160,000, and it is now sold out for the next few months. It will be open to visitors until 2 June 2024.

“Harry Potter fans in Germany are about to experience something absolutely spectacular and unlike anything they’ve seen from our iconic franchise,” says Peter van Roden, senior vice president of Warner Bros. Discovery Global Themed Entertainment. “This experience harnesses the best of art and technology and brings them together in a unique way that will allow fans to explore elements and locations of the Wizarding World that have never been seen in a touring experience.”

Immersive storytelling

“Harry Potter: Visions of Magic embodies the immersive power of storytelling and the enchanting allure of the Wizarding World, inviting fans to celebrate the mystical realms they’ve cherished for years,” says Ron Tan, executive chairman and group CEO of NEON.

“With such overwhelming response in our pre-sale ticketing, we are excited to unveil this fascinating experience together with our valued partners – Warner Bros. Discovery Global Themed Entertainment and Explorado Group, to bring our fans through this wondrous journey into the Wizarding World.”

Andreas Waschk, CEO of Explorado Group GmbH, adds: “We are thrilled that the long-awaited opening day has finally arrived, allowing us to showcase this extraordinary and awe-inspiring art experience to our visitors in Cologne for the very first time. We take immense pride in presenting the world premiere at ODYSSEUM. The response from fans has been overwhelming – the ticket pre-sales for the exhibition are among the most successful of all blockbuster exhibitions in Germany.” says Andreas Waschk, CEO of Explorado Group GmbH.

A 3,000 square metre immersive art experience, Harry Potter: Visions of Magic is the creation of Warner Bros. Discovery Global Themed Entertainment and NEON. It explores some of the most mysterious corners of the Wizarding World, featuring creative and fascinating scenes modelled after iconic spaces like the Ministry of Magic, Newt’s Menagerie, and the Room of Requirement.

Stunning multi-sensory displays are created by combining innovative acoustics, bold architecture, and responsive video content, while interactive technology allows guests to bring their magical dreams to life.

For more information and for tickets, please click here.

Earlier this year, NEON announced that Avatar: The Experience at Gardens by the Bay in Singapore welcomed two million visitors within its first 11 months of operation. 

Many fans of the Harry Potter series have probably already wanted to immerse themselves in the magical world surrounding the famous magic student. In the new interactive exhibition “Harry Potter: Visions of Magic” they can – at least a little.

“Harry Potter: Visions of Magic”: This is available on 3,000 square meters

Warner Bros. Discovery Global Themed Entertainment, NEON and the Explorado Group have built a paradise for Harry Potter fans in the Odysseum in Cologne. Visitors can discover mysterious places on over 3,000 square meters.

Among other things, you can walk through the Room of Requirements, where dusty chairs are stacked up to the ceiling and huge chess pieces seem to be waiting for the first move. The Hall of Prophecies is also a visual highlight. In it there is one glass ball next to the other, a prophecy floating around in all of them. Light effects make the shelves shine or envelope the room in complete darkness. In Newt’s Menagerie, the cute Nifflers, who are very reminiscent of moles, are looking for treasure and crawl across meter-high projection surfaces. The brave can also take a walk through Knockturn Alley, the dark counterpart to the friendly Diagon Alley.

Interactive Harry Potter exhibition: In search of magical traces

In addition to these worlds, there is a lot more to discover – what will not be revealed at this point. In any case, the fans who were allowed to take a look before the actual opening were enthusiastic. “I have been a fan from the very beginning and have read both the books and watched the films,” says Birgit Lauschus, who traveled to Cologne from Dinslaken. “It’s so much fun to be able to immerse yourself in the worlds. Plus, I felt like a kid with the magic wand.”

26 hours of Harry Potter in the cinema: Some preferred to fall asleep

Opening with star guests from the Harry Potter films

Oliver and James Phelps, who played the Weasley twins Fred and George in the Harry Potter films, had a similar experience. As surprise guests, they were allowed to visit the exhibition before anyone else. “We went through it yesterday and it really blew us away. I immediately remembered how much fun it was to wave the magic wand back then,” says James Phelps.

Wands are a good keyword. At the beginning of the art experience, each visitor is given a magic wand and is allowed to train a bit with it. Then we look for traces of magic that hide as little clouds of mist in the exhibition. A flick of the magic wand makes them disappear and great surprises appear – be it an owl, the golden snitch or colorful fireworks.

Harry Potter fans become wizards’ apprentices

The whole experience is of course accompanied by appropriate sound effects and atmospheric music. The changing light effects create a very special atmosphere. As Harry Potter fans delve further and further into the magical world around Hogwarts, they quickly lose their sense of time. Well, you were just standing in the Ministry of Magic and suddenly someone was waiting around the next corner to collect the magic wands again. Just as quickly as you become a sorcerer’s apprentice in Cologne, you also become a Muggle again – i.e. a perfectly normal person without any magical powers.

Opening hours and prices:

From December 8th to June 2nd, 2024, fans of the world’s most famous sorcerer’s apprentice can explore the magical settings of the books and films in the Odysseum.

Armed with magic wands, the visitors make their way through dark corridors. Around every corner there is a new room waiting to be discovered and its secrets to be revealed. There is the “Knight Errant” bus, which races through the streets of London at murderous speeds, or underwater worlds through which magical beasts with sharp teeth and tentacles swim.

Actors present at the opening

You can tell: magic has come to Cologne. Tomorrow, Friday, the Harry Potter exhibition “Visions of Magic” will celebrate its world premiere at the Odysseum in Kalk. “This is a great honor for us,” says Andreas Waschk, managing director of the Explorado Group, which operates the Odysseum. With the show you “immerse yourself in what Harry Potter actually stands for.” Waschk brought an exhibition about the magic student to the Odysseum nine years ago, “now the journey continues”.

This continuity is also reflected in the guests who traveled to Cologne for the performance of “Visions of Magic”. James and Oliver Phelps, who once played the twins Fred and George Weasley in the “Harry Potter” films, were at the opening in 2014 and this time too they didn’t miss the opportunity to take a look at the show in advance. “Practice your wand skills, people,” advises James Phelps, grinning.

The new experience world was devised by the production company Warner Bros., which was also responsible for the Potter films, and the Neon company, which specializes in immersive experiences. The organizers emphasize that “Visions of Magic” is not actually a classic exhibition, but rather an “interactive art experience”.

In this, fans of the most famous sorcerer’s apprentice in the world can explore various places and settings that played an important role in the eight-part film series and the spinoff “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”. These include, for example, the mysterious “Room of Prophecies” or the ministries of magic in various countries.

Search for traces of magic

Guests can also stroll along the eerie “Knockturn Alley”, a kind of shopping street for witches and wizards where you can buy all sorts of magic potions, spiders and bats – including ground fog for the spooky atmosphere. The original film music is played as you walk through the different rooms, providing a good dose of nostalgia for die-hard Potter lovers. “Visions of Magic” definitely has an attention to detail.

During their journey, visitors must always keep their eyes open for “traces of magic”: small reflections of light that can be activated using the magic wand they have previously taken with them. The traces form the interactive element of the show; Anyone who finds them can use the magic wand to make hidden images, objects or information visible.

Even before the opening there was a huge rush for tickets – 130,000 tickets had already been sold in advance. The show is completely sold out for December, and in January you can only get remaining tickets for during the week. The fans obviously don’t want to miss the experience.

The first reactions are positive: “I think it’s really beautiful and well done,” says Jana from Wermelskirchen. Like many of her generation, the 24-year-old grew up with Harry Potter. Friend Anna (27) from Bochum sees it similarly: “When I was in first grade, the first film had just come out. It was formative for my youth!” She also thinks the show and its effects were successful, but would have liked to wave the magic wand even more: “Especially at the beginning, I would have liked a little more interactive stuff.”

Prices and opening times

The best way to buy tickets is online . They cost from 20.90 euros for children (from 5 years) and from 26.90 euros for adults (from 16 years). There are family and group tickets (for groups of 10 or more) as well as special prices for seniors, schoolchildren and students.

The show is recommended for children aged twelve and over; younger visitors should have an adult accompany them. “Visions of Magic” can be seen at the Odysseum until June 2, 2024. Open Tuesday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Fridays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturdays, Sundays, during holidays as well as on public holidays and bridge days in North Rhine-Westphalia from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (crb) 

Walk through well-known locations from the Harry Potter saga and create magic yourself with a magic wand – this is possible from Friday in the Cologne Odysseum.

Cologne It is somewhat reminiscent of the arrival of new magic students at Hogwarts boarding school. Right at the beginning, each visitor is given a magic wand and immediately afterwards an introduction to how to use it. There is no need for a magic spell, the magic wand works at the push of a button that makes it glow. This means that traces of magic can be found and activated during the tour. The wands aren’t quite as powerful as those in Harry Potter, but they’re still fun to try out.

“Harry Potter – Visions of Magic” celebrates its world premiere this week at the Odysseum in Cologne. This Friday the adventure world around the famous magic student in Kalk opens its doors. Around 3,000 square meters are available for the tour. According to the organizers, the demand for the tickets is huge. December is already sold out. More than 130,000 tickets have already been sold.

While at the first Harry Potter exhibition it was the props and costumes from the Harry Potter films that thrilled fans, they now get an interactive experience in a magical world that they can immerse themselves in with their magic wand. Right at the start of the almost hour-long tour there is a bus ride, with the slanted double-decker appearing in the dark room as if from nowhere.

Inside, the fast-paced ride in the “Revenue Knight” continues; instead of seats, there are large beds for the passengers. From Grimmaultplatz with the large family tree of the Black wizard family and the magical paintings that fans already know from Hogwarts Castle, the path leads directly to the Ministry of Magic, the seat of government for the magical community of witches and wizards. Everywhere visitors can expand the experience a little with traces of magic – for example when they use the magic wand to set the stones on a wall in the ministry in motion.

Weiter geht es in die Halle der Prophezeiungen – eine geheime Kammer mit vielen Flüsterstimmen, wo die Vergangenheit auf die Gegenwart und die Zukunft trifft. Magisch ist auch Magisch ist auch Newts Menagerie. Wer dieser außergewöhnlichen Sammlung gegenübersteht, begegnet fantastischen Tierwesen wie Nifflern und Mondkälbern. Mit dem Zauberstab können hier Wesen aus den Eiern schlüpfen oder sich in Bewegung setzen.

Knockturn Alley is a dark side street of the legendary Diagon Alley, where in the films Harry, Hermione and Ron get the necessary equipment for their future wizarding lives. Here, too, you can use the magic wand to create magical effects and feel like the protagonists in the middle of the film. The Room of Wishes brings together strange objects that now need to be discovered. Here too, the magic wand helps before the big final show in the Pensieve.

“Harry Potter fans in Germany can experience something absolutely spectacular that they have never seen before in our iconic film series. “This experience draws on the best of art and technology and brings them together in a unique way,” enthuses Peter van Roden of Warner Bros. Discovery Global Themed Entertainment, the creator of the new show. 100 employees put together the show for around two months, and the actors James and Oliver Phelps, who played the roles of the twins Fred and George Weasley in the film, also traveled to Cologne for the preview.

Service: “Harry Potter – Visions of Magic” (recommended for children aged twelve and over) until June 2, 2024 at the Odysseum, Corintostraße 1. Tickets are available for children from 20.90 euros and for adults from 26.90 euros at:

www.harrypottervisionsofmagic.de

Harry Potter: Visions of Magic – Magical exhibition delights fans in Cologne

In Cologne, the dream of many Harry Potter fans comes true: the exhibition “Harry Potter: Visions of Magic” takes visitors into the world of magic. From the Hall of Prophecy to Diagon Alley, even Muggles can experience magical powers and wield a wand. The exhibition includes impressive props from the films and is supported by the Weasley twins, aka James and Oliver Phelps. The magical places such as the Hall of Prophecy and the Room of Requirement delight visitors like Cosima and Rebekah. The exhibition officially opens on Friday and is already proving popular, with December tickets already sold out.

World premiere of “Visions of Magic”

Until June 2nd, 2024, visitors to the Odysseum will be transported into the world of magic. Familiar faces from the films came to the preview.

James and Oliver Phelps, better known as Fred and George Weasley, are difficult to tell apart. When filming the Harry Potter films, the British actors took advantage of this to prank the crew and cast: “We swapped roles a lot,” reveals James Phelps with a laugh. Today that no longer works: James wears his hair long, Oliver wears it short.

Actors of Fred and George Weasley visit Cologne

On Wednesday afternoon, the twins welcome members of the press to the exclusive preview of “Harry Potter – Visions of Magic” at the Odysseum in Cologne . The official opening is on Friday. They themselves were allowed to stroll through the interactive art experience a day earlier: “360 degrees around you is Potter, the world of magic,” says Oliver in an interview with the “Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger”. James added: “It completely blew us away. It took us a day to process this. But now it’s great to see how other people experience it. “Everyone uses their wand differently,” says James.

That’s right: every visitor gets their own magic wand with which they can experience the exhibition. When you press your finger in the right place, the tip lights up in different colors. This then takes you to the Knight Bus, the British, American and French Ministry of Magic or the Hall of Prophecy. The tour lasts approximately 60 to 90 minutes. The different rooms are designed with a mix of projections on the walls and props, with a focus on atmospheric light and sound effects.

New exhibition relies on light and sound effects

In some places the projections on the walls are interactive; in the British Ministry, for example, optical effects can be triggered with a magic wand. “Every detail is intentional, even if visitors don’t notice it,” says Sherrie Dai, creative director at Neon, which designed “Harry Potter – Visions of Magic.”

This also applies to the transition from Borgin and Burke’s shop in Knockturn Alley via the Vanishing Cabinet to the Room of Requirement at Hogwarts. A true Harry Potter fan understands.

There are already many ways to immerse yourself in the world of magic. In London, visitors to the studio tour can admire the original sets, and there is a real Hogwarts castle at Universal Studios in Orlando. So why this exhibition? Peter van Roden, Vice President of Warner Bros. Discovery Global Themed Entertainment explains: “We always think about our fans. Do all of our fans travel to London or Orlando?” Hardly.

There was also a traveling exhibition with props that stopped at the Odysseum almost ten years ago . The new exhibition should focus less on the films and characters and more on the world as such. Harry Potter himself only appears as a projection in the last room, modeled on the Pensieve, and engages in an epic battle with Lord Voldemort.

Sold out in December, few tickets left for January

The lavishly designed exhibition can be seen in the Odysseum until June 2, 2024 – and the rush is already big right from the start, says Andreas Waschk, managing director of the Explorado Group, which operates the Odysseum: “With 130,000 tickets in advance sales, we have at least one National record set.” December is sold out, in January and February there are only tickets available during the week. Waschk is “hopeful” that they will be able to unlock more tickets after a test phase.

James and Oliver Phelps will not be able to attend the opening on Friday. This time they don’t have time for 1. FC Cologne either: on their last visit to the Odysseum for the German premiere of the traveling exhibition ten years ago, they attended a game in the Rhein-Energie-Stadion and also took a photo with Billy Goat Hennes, say the Phelps- Twins. “I follow the Bundesliga, it’s sad where FC is at the moment,” says Oliver. He hopes that things will go better in the second half of the season.

Tickets for “Harry Potter – Visions of Magic” are available from 26.90 euros, reduced prices from 20.90 euros. More information can be found at harrypottervisionsofmagic.com/en .

• Exhibition includes 182 artifacts from the collection of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo
• Mostafa Waziri: It also contains the king’s coffin, which was transported in a majestic procession with the royal mummies from the Egyptian Museum … to the National Museum

CAIRO: Some 110,000 tickets have been sold this month for the exhibition “Ramses the Great and the Gold of the Pharaohs” at the Australian Museum in Sydney.

Mostafa Waziri, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities of Egypt, said the exhibition included 182 artifacts from the collection of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.

He added: “It also contains the king’s coffin, which was transported in a majestic procession with the royal mummies from the Egyptian Museum … to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization.”

The Sydney exhibition received an overwhelming response from the public when it opened to visitors on Nov. 18.

A delegation from the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities; John Graham, the minister of arts, music and tourism in Australia; and more than 500 other invitees attended the official opening, along with Waziri, on Nov. 16.

Waziri said: “The exhibition also includes some other artifacts from the excavations of the Egyptian mission … in Saqqara, in addition to some at collections from several Egyptian museums that highlight some of the distinctive characteristics of ancient Egyptian civilization from the era of the Middle Kingdom until the Late Era.

“The exhibition also includes a collection of statues, jewelry, cosmetics, paintings, stone blocks decorated with carvings, and some colorful wooden coffins.”

Mai Sayed, a journalist specializing in tourism, told Arab News: “Since the beginning of the ‘Ramses the Great and the Gold of the Pharaohs’ exhibition, its journey outside Egypt has been successful. Since its first stop in November 2021 in the American city of Houston, it has achieved great success.”

She added: “The same situation happened on its second stop in August 2022 in the city of San Francisco in the United States of America, and then its third stop in April 2023 in the French capital Paris where it attracted 820,000 visitors.”

Sayed said that the exhibition’s success confirmed the world’s fascination with Egypt, adding: “That is why I see that there should be exploitation and a continuation of these exhibitions in the many capitals of the world.”

A series of exhibitions in the country spotlight the enduring appeal of ancient Egypt for modern audiences

A rare slice of ancient Egypt arrived at Sydney’s Australian Museum this month, with the blockbuster “Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs” exhibition making the fourth stop on its international tour. The immersive show, which premiered in Houston in 2021, offers an expansive look into the reign of Ramses II, one of Egypt’s most powerful pharaohs.

“Ramses the Great was a phenomenon—a beloved father, incomparable warrior and prolific builder whose legacy is both political and cultural,” says Kim McKay, the Australian Museum’s director and CEO, in a statement. “Responsible for countless temples, pyramids and statues, the first ever peace treaty and an enormous, influential family, the stories of Ramses have been retold through generations.”

Of the exhibition’s 181 objects, the star is Ramses’ sarcophagus. Unearthed in 1881, it had never been shown publicly outside of Egypt until this year, writes the Guardian’s Kelly Burke. Other artifacts demonstrating the artistic innovation of the pharaoh’s reign include golden masks, carved sarcophagi, ornate jewelry and even a mummified lion cub.

The exhibition, which runs until May 19, 2024, also presents multimedia and immersive elements. One such technological feature is a recreation of the 1275 B.C.E. Battle of Kadesh, Ramses’ greatest military achievement, that uses a layered display and CGI, or computer-generated imagery. In 2022, Smithsonian magazine’s Emma Schkloven called the recreation a “feat of technology.”

An offshoot of the exhibition offers a virtual reality tour of the ​​historic Abu Simbel temple, guided by the pharaoh’s first wife, Queen Nefertari, though the Guardian notes that this experience eschews historical accuracy in favor of entertainment value.

“Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs” is the latest of several Egypt-focused shows to travel to Australia. Next month, the National Museum of Australia will open “Discovering Ancient Egypt,” comprising more than 220 objects from the collections of the Dutch National Museum of Antiquities. In 2024, “Pharaoh,” the largest international exhibition the British Museum has ever presented, will debut at the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV).

These Egyptian exhibitions arriving in a row is largely thanks to the pandemic’s disruption of museum schedules and loans for two years, the Sydney Morning Herald’s Linda Morris reports.

“These things do happen,” Miranda Wallace, NGV’s senior curator of international programs, tells the Sydney Morning Herald. “It’s like buses: There’s nothing for ages, then three come along.”

For now, oversaturation doesn’t seem to be an issue: Ahead of the Ramses exhibition’s opening weekend, the Australian Museum announced it had already presold more than 100,000 tickets to the show. Indeed, the NGV is hoping that its show will help attract new visitors to the usually painting-focused gallery, Wallace tells the Sydney Morning Herald.

These experiences are just the latest in a long line of Egyptian-centric exhibitions. Australian institutions hosted at least seven such shows between 2007 and 2018, writes Ania Kotarba-Morley, an archaeologist and cultural heritage professional at the University of Adelaide, for the Conversation. Australia’s fascination with ancient Egypt is part of the larger obsession the West has with the subject—a phenomenon that prompted the coining of the term “Egyptomania,” which can be traced back to Napoleon Bonaparte’s expedition to Egypt in the late 18th century, Kotarba-Morley writes.

Visitors continue to attend exhibitions like “Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs” because they offer the chance to see what life was like in an ancient society, McKay tells the Sydney Morning Herald.

“It’s that human interest, that curiosity to go back in time,” she says. “It’s the same level of curiosity an adventurer might have exploring a new ocean or a new shore, a new country.”

“Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs” is on view at the Australian Museum in Sydney through May 19, 2024.

A harmonious blend of ancient wonders and modern innovation that explores the life of the illustrious pharaoh, Ramses the Great.

While Tutankhamun may be the most known pharaoh in modern pop culture, it is indisputable that Ramses II was among the most powerful and celebrated.

Ramses II (1303-1213 BC) ruled over a stable and prosperous Egypt, overseeing many accomplishments, including securing its borders, bringing unparalleled wealth, widening trade and facilitating massive building programs. Living to over 90 and reigning for an astonishing 66 years, his death shocked his subjects, who were mostly born under his reign.

It is this lauded royal’s sensational story and riches that grace the Australian Museum’s highly anticipated blockbuster exhibition, Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs. With 180 immaculately preserved artefacts still reminiscent of their glory, everyone will certainly find something to admire and contemplate.

Walking through the exhibition, visitors are taken on an enriching yet beautifully presented journey detailing different aspects of Ramses’ life and qualities. The exhibition’s multisensory nature heightens the sense of wonder, interweaving modern technology and ancient splendours to make us feel as if we are getting to know Ramses personally.

We learn that Ramses was a prolific builder, overseeing one of the most extensive ancient building programs – the scale of his buildings such that they towered over those built by previous pharaohs. Interspersed throughout the exhibition, TV screens play detailed reconstructions of Ramses’ various projects, revealing their complexity and opulence. This includes fly-throughs within the Ramesseum and his prosperous capital city of Pi-Ramesses.

Finely crafted mini replicas of temples such as Abu Simbel, complete with artificial sunlight, add another layer of dimension in depicting Ramses’ building prowess. Artefacts from Deir el-Medina are especially interesting, highlighting the lives of Egyptian craftsmen whose sole purpose was to build spectacular tombs carved out of the mountains for Ramses and his wife, Nefertari.

Visitors are also captivated by explanations of how Ramses ensured Egypt’s peace and security through military campaigns and expert diplomacy. The multimedia animation of the Battle of Kadesh, undoubtedly Ramses’ most renowned campaign, does exceptionally well in captivating onlookers with its energetic pulse and vivid storytelling. It is incredibly educational, exploring how the battle led to the world’s first known peace treaty, as well as being utilised as a propaganda tool.

Ramses’ skill as a master propagandist underpins the entire exhibition, with his position cemented by the frequent appearance of his image across Egypt – on stelae, obelisks and monuments to having his cartouche engraved onto other pharaohs’ works. The towering limestone and pink granite colossus statues that dominate the start and end of the exhibition, are remarkable and jaw-dropping depictions of his excellence.

Another enchanting piece is the statute of Ramses II as a sphinx offering holy water to Amun, encapsulating his absolute power and connection to the gods. Charmingly artistic faience tiles also depict Ramses as a warrior pharaoh, with a vibrant one of him smiting three of Egypt’s traditional enemies, a Syrian, Libyan and Nubian.

Of course, an Ancient Egyptian exhibition is incomplete without a section about their fascinating religion and death processes. Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs has an entire final section dedicated to this. Although Ramses’ tomb was mostly looted in ancient times, we gain a sense of its opulence through viewing the prized funerary goods of other Egyptian nobilities, including exquisitely intricate jewellery made of various precious materials, gold funerary masks and canopic coffinettes.

Cultivating an other-worldly atmosphere, a major highlight is Sennedjem’s outer coffin and the surrounding wall projections. They depict scenes from the ancient Egyptian funerary text, Book of the Dead, detailing the journey through the Underworld en route to the Field of Reeds, which is a paradise without sorrow where all Egyptians aimed to continue life. However, the show-stopping and central piece is the sarcophagus of Ramses II, a truly stunning artefact that can be marvelled at for ages and which Sydney has been very fortunate to become only the second city outside of Egypt to exhibit.

To add, the VR experience must not be missed – an extremely entertaining and innovative new way of transporting visitors into history. Flying through the Sahara, viewers are guided by Nefertari’s spirit around two of Ramses’ most stunning works: the grandiose Abu Simbel temple and Nefertari’s very own tomb, renowned as the “Sistine Chapel of Ancient Egypt”. Like an educational ride, the cinematic motion chairs do a magical and exhilarating job in painting the sensation of being around such architectural magnificence.

Although the cancellation of the Tutankhamun exhibition in 2021 disappointed many ancient history students and enthusiasts, this spectacular experience more than makes up for it. Living up to its world-class appeal, if there is any indication of what the future of museum exhibitions will look like, it is showcased in Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs.

Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs is on view now until 19 May 2024 at Australian Museum; tickets from $29.

The capital city of New South Wales is falling under the spell of the ancient Egyptians with the visit of the Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs exhibition, reports Nevine El-Aref

“Journey back 3,300 years to the vast expanse of the Sahara Desert, where you will immerse yourself in the pulse of ancient Egypt. Explore the captivating era of the nation’s most renowned Pharaoh through a ground-breaking exhibition, Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs, marking its debut in Australia.”

With these words, Sydney, the capital city of New South Wales in Australia, was conquered by the “Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs” exhibition, now on its fourth leg outside Egypt after two stops in the US and the French capital Paris that saw 817,000 visitors.

The features of king Ramses II can be seen everywhere in Sydney, including in restaurants and residential buildings, while the golden mask of the 21st Dynasty King Amenemope is decorating the streets and metro and bus stations.

The façade of the Australian Museum has been transformed into a Pharaonic gate decorated with enormous replica colossi of Ramses the Great. Images of the king’s coffin and some of the exhibition’s artefacts have appeared on the front pages of many Australian newspapers and magazines, some of which have devoted issues to the Great King’s treasures, history, and the discovery of his mummy in the Luxor Cachette.

On the day of the exhibition’s opening, strains of oriental music and the songs of the renowned Egyptian singer Um Kolthoum could be heard at the Australian Museum as it welcomed invitees to the opening ceremony. All November tickets have been sold out, and almost 110,000 tickets sold.

The groundbreaking exhibition offers a multisensory journey, granting visitors a unique perspective into the life and achievements of Ramses II throughout his 67-year reign as the second-longest reign of any Pharaoh in ancient Egyptian history. 

Exclusively showcased in Sydney, the exhibition presents a collection of 182 priceless artefacts, encompassing Egyptian treasures and rare relics. Among these items are representations of the extraordinary Pharaoh himself, with many never having left Egypt before. 

The wooden coffin of Ramses II, considered the most remarkable ever unearthed from ancient Egypt, is among the objects showcased in the exhibition. It has never ventured beyond Egypt’s borders except for the exhibition’s third leg in Paris before making its way to Sydney.

The exhibition also features a virtual reality experience that takes visitors on a whirlwind tour of two of Ramses’ most impressive monuments: the Temples of Abu Simbel and that of his beloved wife queen Nefertari. Seated in dynamic motion chairs, attendees can soar through temples, navigate sandstorms, and encounter the mummy of Ramses II in this thrilling animated adventure. 

Before going into the exhibition, visitors enter an immersive environment that begins with a four-minute introductory film on a 120-degree screen meant to take them on a journey back in time to admire the history of the great ancient Egyptian king. 

In the centre of the screen, a digital clock counts backwards from the present. The years flash back past the Renaissance and the Middle Ages, past the time of Christ and the Roman and Greek Empires, to over 3,000 years ago, over 100 human generations, stopping abruptly at the year 1304 BCE.

The image then expands to fill the entire screen and transitions into stunning drone footage that soars over the Great Pyramid of Khufu and the Sphinx and zooms down into ancient Memphis. A new king has just ascended to the throne, one who will come to epitomise the power and wealth of ancient Egypt at its height, who secured peace with his neighbours, and is still considered the greatest of all the Pharaohs.

Historians report that when news of the 92-year-old king’s death emerged, the Egyptians were devastated. Few could remember a time before he was Pharaoh. Even in the age of Cleopatra 1,000 years after the death of Ramses, Egyptians still held him above all other Pharaohs. His name and exploits have remained well-known throughout history and his fame extends far beyond Egypt, enshrined in books and films.

Animations in the exhibition show how Ramses II pushed back invasions by Nubians in the south, Libyans on the western border, pirates on the Mediterranean coast, and Hittites on the Syrian border of Egypt. 

Kadesh, his most famous battle with the Hittites, was recorded for posterity on many of the statues and temples he erected. This war ended when Ramses negotiated and signed the world’s first known peace treaty, cemented by his marriage to the daughter of the defeated Hittite king.

Successful trade agreements, abundant harvests, and an expanding economy ushered in a period of stability and prosperity that allowed Ramses to undertake an ambitious campaign of construction that continued throughout his reign.

The narrator of the film explains the history of the king, adding that in 1817 the Egyptologist Giovanni Belzoni uncovered the entrances to the spectacular Temples at Abu Simbel, built by Ramses to celebrate his queen Nefertari and enshrine himself as a god.

Footage takes the visitor high above and through the Temples among other remarkable edifices attributed to Ramses II such as the temples at Karnak, Abydos, and the Ramesseum, his mortuary temple.

ENTERING THE EXHIBITION: Visitors then enter the world of Ramses II himself, viewing the splendour that this great king owned as well as royal statues, sarcophagi, spectacular masks, magnificent jewellery, and ornate golden treasures that reveal the fabulous wealth of the Pharaohs, the astonishing skill of ancient Egyptian tomb builders, and the superb workmanship of Egyptian artists. 

Recently discovered animal mummies, including those of cats, lion cubs, and a mongoose, from the Saqqara Necropolis are on view, as well as fabulous treasures discovered in the royal tombs at the Dahshur and Tanis archaeological sites. The exhibition also includes precious objects from several other periods of Egyptian history to showcase the opulence of Egypt’s ancient civilisation and the beauty of its treasures. Many of these precious gold and silver objects come from intact royal tombs of the Middle Kingdom.

A projected interactive multimedia timeline includes descriptions of key moments in Ramses II’s life illustrated with images that include artefacts from the exhibition. A large mural of the spectacular and unique Temples at Abu Simbel fills one wall. All the graphics emphasise the scale of the Pharaoh’s accomplishments. Full-colour, fly-through animations on monitors recreate buildings as they appeared in antiquity. Artefacts include a column drum and a relief featuring figures of deities, both with cartouches of Ramses II, and a stelae that shows one of the king’s barques.

A limestone block depicts Ramses trampling on his enemies. In a semi-circular side room, the story of Ramses’ military victories including the Battle of Kadesh unfolds in a dramatic multimedia presentation. A giant 3D relief map of Egypt and its neighbours is projected, and miniature figures, including military leaders from the different warring factions as well as Ramses and his sons, together with war chariots and archers move around the map as the story progresses.

Hundreds of arrows aimed at enemy forces by crack archers fly across the map’s terrain with the use of projection mapping. Further projections show battalions of horse-drawn chariots race across the scene, heightening the drama and storytelling as the narrator recounts some of Ramses II’s defining military campaigns, including one of the most famous battles in history.

Near the exit, visitors learn that after overseeing a period of peace, stability, and economic prosperity in Egypt, Ramses died at the age of 92 and was buried in the Valley of the Kings at Luxor.

Artefacts and panels showing the King’s tomb and its builders are on show among those displaying the necropolis in Luxor where the tombs of Ramses II and his family are located, with the surviving funerary collection of the king also being on display.

IN AUSTRALIA: The exhibition is the Australian Museum’s most prestigious cultural exhibition in over a decade, and one “where Sydneysiders, for the next six months, will enjoy an exclusive, extended period of gold-imbued awe and wonder,” said CEO and Australian Museum Director Kim McKay.

She describes the exhibition as “epic and exquisite.” Epic, because 3,000 years on from this sovereign’s life and times, the 182 one-of-a-kind artefacts help tell the story of Ramses the Great, as he was known, including his stunning cedar sarcophagus. Exquisite, because so much of the exhibition is hewn from precious metals, predominantly gold.

“Ramses the Great was a phenomenon,” said McKay and explained that he was a beloved father, incomparable warrior, a peacemaker and prolific builder whose legacy is both political and cultural. “Responsible for countless temples, pyramids and statues, the first ever peace treaty, and an enormous, influential family, the stories of Ramses have been retold through generations.” 

She pointed out that the museum has created an innovative experience that enables visitors to enjoy this with all their senses. “It marks a new chapter in the way we share culture with our visitors to the Australian museum, and we know you will experience the same awe and wonder we have felt in crafting this once-in-a-lifetime blockbuster experience,” McKay concluded.

Former Egyptian minister of antiquities and curator of the exhibition Zahi Hawass emphasised how the exhibition unveils the world Ramses II and his role as Pharaoh.

“The contemporary world starkly contrasts with ancient Egypt, and through this exhibition visitors will delve into Ramses II’s world, encountering a vastly different way of life,” Hawass said. He added that the allure of ancient Egypt persists, captivating people worldwide, as attested by the ongoing excitement over new archaeological discoveries in Egypt.

Hawass said that the masterpieces of ancient Egyptian craftsmanship, including statues, jewellery, and carvings, were crafted with the intention of honouring and immortalising the Pharaohs. Many of these artefacts, still preserved today, effectively breathe life into the stories of these revered leaders. 

“The exhibition features a selection of these exquisite items, offering a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of ancient Egypt in which the greatest of the Pharaohs, the king of kings, Ramses II lived,” he said.

“Australian audiences have a rare opportunity to explore the unparalleled craftsmanship and refinement of objects and artworks spanning from the Bronze Age to the Classical Age.”

New South Wales Minister for the Arts, Music, Night-time Economy, Jobs and Tourism John Graham expressed his gratitude for the presence of these invaluable and historic artefacts in Sydney. He noted that the rarity of exhibitions of such magnitude meant the time-consuming efforts of hundreds of individuals and years of negotiations. 

Reflecting on the Australian Museum’s award-winning renovations, he highlighted that the new spaces were purposefully designed for exhibitions like “Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs”, showcasing these remarkable artefacts that have endured for 3,000 years.

Encouraging the public to seize this unique opportunity, Graham urged everyone to journey back in time by visiting the exhibition. He emphasised the exceptional chance to explore ancient Egypt’s wonders without venturing beyond Sydney, underscoring the significance of this cultural experience.

Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) Mustafa Waziri said that all the tickets available for November have been sold out, and he expects that by the end of its six months in Sydney, the exhibition will reach one million visitors. He recalled other cities the exhibition has visited during the past two years, such as Paris, where it received 817,000 visitors during a five-month stay.

He describes Ramses II as “a man of war and peace” because he proved his bravery in the war against the Nubians in the south, the Libyans on the western border, and pirates in the Mediterranean. He signed the world’s first peace treaty with the Hittites.

Waziri described Ramses II’s reign as “a golden and flourishing moment,” as he branded his reputation through immense construction work across Egypt. “The exhibition showcases the story of Egypt’s greatest Pharaoh and those Pharaohs who came before and after him through demonstrating these treasure troves,” Waziri said.

“It is and immense honour to create this magnificent touring exhibition,” executive chairman and group CEO of Neon, the organiser of the exhibition, Ron Tan said. 

He added that Sydney is the only city in the southern hemisphere to showcase this exhibition and thanked the Australian Museum for providing such a spectacular setting and the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities for their cooperation in bringing this exhibition to fruition.

The “Ramses the Great and the Gold of the Pharaohs” exhibition officially opened to visitors at the Australian Museum in Sydney on Saturday.

The exhibition began its journey outside Egypt with its first stop in November 2021 in Houston, then in August 2022 in San Francisco, USA, then its third stop in April 2023 in the French capital, Paris.

Now in Australia for the very first time, the exhibit will showcase 182 exquisite antiquities direct from the pyramids and museums of Egypt, together with their extraordinary stories.

The opening ceremony was held on Friday evening and witnessed by the Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities Mostafa Waziri, Minister for Roads, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy of Australia, John Graham, and Director of the Australian Museum Kim McKay, Ambassador Mohamed Khairy, and Consul General of Egypt in Sydney, along with official participating delegation from the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.

The ceremony was also held in presence of more than 500 invitees, including senior public and governmental figures, members of the museum’s Board of Trustees, archaeologists, tourism specialists in Australia, the dean of the Egyptian community in Australia, alongside a number of influencers, bloggers, and Australian celebrities.

Sydney’s own Egyptology enthusiast AJ Lamarque is here to help you look clever at Sydney’s exclusive exhibition

Sydney’s exclusive exhibition of Ancient Egyptian artefacts has finally landed, and lovers of history and all that glitters are trying to remain cool. That overly-excited, Prince-doppelganger in the pictures (and in Time Out’s First Look video of the exhibition) is me, AJ Lamarque: comedian, presenter and amateur egyptologist. I suppose anyone can call themselves an amateur egyptologist in the same way that anyone who’s ever been to Holey Moley can call themselves an amateur golfer. But I did spend a year learning Hieroglyphs at UC Berkeley (instead of actually doing my course subjects) so I do have some credentials to back up my claim. 

Like many people, I was enamoured by Ancient Egyptian culture from a young age, and that fascination has only grown as I’ve gotten older. The grandeur and mystery of this civilisation that spanned more than 3,000 years has captured the minds and imaginations of nearly every culture since its demise in the early BC. As soon as I heard that the Australian Museum had managed to secure this exhibition, I knew I had to get my nerd on.

Now, the fact that this exhibition even is in Australia is quite a big deal in itself. So, unless you venture to Egypt yourself, there’s a very good chance that this may be the only time in our lifetimes to see these items in Australia.

With some 182 priceless artefacts on display, there’s definitely a lot to check out. To help, I’ve picked out some highlights from the exhibition to give you the lowdown on the history behind them and what makes them so exciting. (You can also steal these notes so you can sound like a pro to your mates when you check out the exhibition too!)

Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs is at the Australian Museum until Sunday, May 19, 2024. Definitely don’t miss this once in a lifetime opportunity to experience the magic of Ancient Egypt.

You can also catch me in person as I interview bioarchaeologist Professor Ronika Power as part of the Tomb Talks program. Learn more about it here. 

3 incredible Ancient Egyptian artefacts you can see in Sydney

Direct from Egypt, the highly anticipated exhibition, Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs, opens to the public at the Australian Museum on Saturday 18 November 2023.

This spectacular new exhibition – in Australia for the very first time, will showcase 182 exquisite antiquities direct from the pyramids and museums of Egypt, together with their extraordinary stories. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see treasures of these ancient wonders, right here in Sydney.

Ancient Egypt, the land of pharaohs, extraordinary art, cultural splendour, and home to the only remaining Ancient Wonder of the World: the pyramids, has captivated the imagination of people across the globe and across generations.

The name of its legendary pharaoh – Ramses the Great, has also endured. Now, visitors to Sydney can discover the legacy of Ramses the Great and the treasures of the ancient pyramids for themselves.

Director and CEO, Australian Museum, Kim McKay AO said that Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs is the most prestigious cultural exhibition to be hosted by the AM in over a decade.

“Ramses the Great was a phenomenon – a beloved father, incomparable warrior, and prolific builder whose legacy is both political and cultural. Responsible for countless temples, pyramids and statues, the first ever Peace Treaty, and an enormous, influential family, the stories of Ramses have been retold through generations” said McKay.

“The era of Ramses the Great was also a time of incredible artistic innovation. This is all on display in this extraordinary exhibition through signature pieces including: the famous coffin of Ramses the Great, the priceless golden masks of Amenemope, the exquisite carved sarcophagi of Sennedjem, the extraordinary necklace of Psusennes, and mummified animals including cats, crocodiles, and even a lion cub.”

“The exhibition also reveals the unique and sophisticated artistry of the era, as well as the spiritual life of the people during this time. With many priceless treasures from the ancient tombs and pyramids, Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs will also entrance audiences with interactive, multimedia elements and a thrilling VR experience that takes visitors right inside his tomb,” McKay explained. “This is a truly immersive exhibition that puts one of history’s most legendary figures into context with dynamic, modern storytelling.”

Curator of the exhibition, renowned archaeologist and former Minister of Antiquities, Dr Zahi Hawass said the one of the most wonderful things about this exhibition is that it reveals the world Ramses took over when he became pharaoh.

“Our modern world is so different from Ancient Egypt. With this exhibition visitors will be immersed in the world of Ramses and discover a completely different way of life,” said Dr Hawass. “Ancient Egypt is a part of history that continues to reveal itself and inspire people across the globe. Even today, the world is thrilled with each new discovery that’s unearthed. It holds an enduring fascination for us all.”

“Works of art – statues, jewellery, carvings – made by Ancient Egyptians were intended to honour and immortalise revered pharaohs. They’re well on their way to doing so, given so many still remain today, bringing their stories to life. These are just a few of the exquisite items included in the exhibition.”

“This is a rare opportunity for Australian audiences to discover the unique craftsmanship and sophistication of objects and artworks dating from within the Bronze Age of 3000 BCE to the Classical Age 1st century CE,” added Dr Hawass.

For those interested in learning more about Ancient Egypt, the AM is presenting Gateway to Egypt, an exclusive season of lectures, conversations, and experiences. Experts, Scholars and Curators will provide a glimpse into life on the Nile Valley and help us understand how the ancient Egyptians viewed their world.

To extend the visitor experience, there are a range of activities, talks and experiences including a thrilling Virtual Reality experience that takes you on a whirlwind tour of the Abu Simbel temples and the Tomb of Queen Nefertari.

In cinematic motion chairs visitors will fly through temples and sandstorms and even come face-to-face with Ramses’ mummy in this electrifying animated journey. Individual Audio Tours are also available, providing a compelling narrative for visitors as they walk through the exhibition and there is a full colour catalogue available for sale, containing essays and in-depth background information about Ramses the Great by Dr Zahi Hawass.

Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs is presented in partnership with World Heritage Exhibitions, Neon/Global and the Houston Museum of Natural Science, with the support of Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. Proudly supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW Blockbusters Funding initiative, Adventure World and Accor Hotels.

NSW Minister for the Arts, Music, Night-time Economy, Jobs and Tourism, the Hon John Graham MLC, said that
Australians are fortunate to have these irreplaceable and historic artefacts here in Sydney. “Exhibitions of this scale don’t come around very often – they’re complex undertakings that involve hundreds of people and years of negotiation,” said Mr Graham.

“Following the AM’s award-winning renovations, we now have the kind of exhibition the new spaces were made for with Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs and these superb artefacts that have survived 3,000 years.”

“I urge everyone to take a trip back in time to see Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs exhibition, an incredible opportunity to visit Ancient Egypt without going further than the Sydney CBD!” said Mr Graham.

Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs
Australian Museum, 1 William Street, Sydney
Exhibition: 18 November 2023 – 19 May 2024
Entry fees apply

For more information, visit: www.australian.museum for details.

Image: Funerary Mask of King Amenemopet – courtesy of World Heritage Exhibitions

The Australian Museum in Sydney is now the temporary home to one of history’s most enigmatic leaders, Ramses II, also known as Ramses the Great.

For the first time in Australasia, visitors can witness the coffin of the pharaoh who ruled Egypt for nearly seven decades.

The exhibition, titled Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs, showcases over 180 artefacts from Ramses II’s era, including his intricately designed coffin.

Kim McKay AO, director and chief executive of The Australian Museum, expressed her excitement.

“This is a monumental occasion. We’re bringing a piece of ancient history to life, right here in Sydney.”

Discovered in 1881, the coffin is not only a significant archaeological find but also a masterpiece of ancient Egyptian craftsmanship.

Mostafa Waziry, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities and a descendant of Ramses II, said the moment was full circle.

“Seeing these artefacts, especially the coffin of King Ramses, is like stepping back in time,” he said.

“It will be something different when you come here and feel it. You’re just centimetres to be away from the statue of King Ramses”

Ramses II, who reigned from 1279-1213 BCE, was known for his extensive building programs and numerous military campaigns. He was also a prolific father, with over 100 children to his name.

The exhibition’s highlight is undoubtedly the coffin of Ramses II. It represents a unique opportunity for visitors to connect with a past that shaped the world’s history.

“We decided a couple of months ago to bring the coffin to here and it’s the first time all the visitors are going to see the coffin of King Ramses standing up like this,” said Waziry.

Some of those artefacts that will be seen for the first time include one of Waziry’s own discoveries, the animal mummies, which have never left Egypt before now.

“I’m very proud that some of these pieces here in this exhibition are from my excavations in the Saqqara,” said Waziry.

“I discovered the animal mummies by my hand, you can imagine the feeling. I will never ever forget for the rest of my life.”

Of those discoveries include a rare lion cub, one of five ever discovered, mummified scarabs which served as a world-first discovery too, and a crocodile.

Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs opens tomorrow.

It’s been just over 100 years since the discovery of Egyptian boy pharaoh Tutankhamun’s tomb in the Valley of the Kings

The discovery immediately started a worldwide mania for all things ancient Egyptian that was reflected in art, furniture, fashion and songs of the day.

Today, none of that enthusiasm has abated, and with the arrival of the Australian Museum’s Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs exhibition in Sydney this November, be prepared for an onslaught of Egypt mania all over again.

The exhibition will feature182 mostly priceless artefacts, with the highpoints including the sarcophagus of Ramses II, one of the most impressive royal coffins to be discovered, jewellery, masks, amulets and animal mummies.

“This is the biggest cultural exhibition that Australia has had in at least 10 years in terms of the range of objects, the value of them, the rarity of the objects and the fact that it is a multi-national exhibition,” Fran Dovey, head of exhibitions, Australian Museum said.

The exhibition came about via a circuitous route, with a back story almost as mysterious as ancient Egypt.

“We were meant to get the Tutankhamun exhibition, but that fell through and we were left in the lurch,” Dovey said.

In step the Indiana Jones of Egyptology, Dr Zahi Hawass, and Kim McKay, Australian Museum CEO, who had a long-standing relationship.

A deal was struck between Hawass, the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities, Neon Global and World Heritage Exhibitions that resulted in Sydney becoming the second city in the world, after Paris, to exhibit the coffin.

“Ramses’ coffin is a work of inestimable value and a powerful symbol of one of the greatest leaders of the ancient world,” Kim McKay said in a statement.

While Tutankhamun is probably the best know pharaoh, he lived only a short time and left no great mark on ancient Egypt, while Ramses II lived to around 90 years of age, won many significant battles that lead to peace and an extensive building campaign which included many monuments to himself.

Married to Nefertari, who is also represented in the exhibition, Ramses went on the sire over 100 children with his numerous consorts.

Nine more pharaohs would take his name after his death.

The main shipment of objects, including the coffin, began arriving in specially built air-conditioned crates under armed guard at the Museum last week.

“Any of these objects that travel are incredibly valuable, and right from the beginning we have been working with the conservation team to create the atmosphere controlled crates and to make sure that they are stored in conservation grade facilities,” Dovey said.

“No expense is spared to make sure that an object leaves Egypt and gets around the world in one piece.”

To make sure that the exhibition goer can see the artefacts in the best conditions the Museum is installing specially built plinths and new lighting.

“Many of the objects are in perfect condition and you can get quite close to them, and the lighting is so exquisite they just glow,” Dovey said.

“They are what you would expect from Egyptian jewellery, the lapis lazuli, the gold with gods represented, and there is a section about the people who built the tombs with some of their objects and doodles.”

In addition to the exhibition there is a Virtual Reality experience with motion chairs, where the viewer can take a journey through the ancient village of Abul Simbel, the place where Ramses was worshipped and four colossal statues representing him have been discovered.

In an extraordinary loan from Egypt, the ornate sarcophagus of the Pharaoh will be on display at the Australian Museum

There has been lots of excitement building around Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs, the blockbuster exhibition of Ancient Egyptian artefacts coming exclusively to Sydney this year. And the Australian Museum just dropped another announcement about the upcoming cultural event that is sure to level up the spectacle when it opens on November 18.

On October 24, it was revealed that the actual sarcophagus of Ramses II – one of the most impressive royal coffins from ancient Egypt ever to be discovered – will be travelling to Australia for the upcoming exhibition. Exclusive to the Australian Museum and on direct loan from Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, Ramses’ coffin is rarely permitted to leave Egypt. Sydney will become only the second city in the world, after Paris, to showcase the extremely valuable artefact. 

Australian Museum Director and CEO, Kim McKay, said the sarcophagus will be the “star attraction” of the exhibition, and it will be “a wonderful opportunity for Australian audiences to see this rare, fragile artefact in real life”. 

McKay continues: “Ramses’ coffin is a work of inestimable value and a powerful symbol of one of the greatest leaders of the ancient world. Egyptians worshipped their Pharaohs, and their devotion to Ramses II can be seen through the craftsmanship of the coffin.”

Dating from the late Eighteenth Dynasty, the carved cedar coffin of Ramses II and its occupant was discovered in 1811 within the Royal Cache at Deir el-Bahari – an Egyptian archaeological site located on the west bank of the Nile River, opposite the city of Luxor and east of the Valley of the Kings. The recumbent king is represented as Osiris, one of the most important gods of ancient Egypt. Arms crossed on his chest, he holds two royal sceptres and wears the Nemes headdress decorated with the erect cobra and a false beard braided beneath his chin. A number of inscriptions can be found on the coffin – on its lid, two large cartouches recall his birth name of “Ramses, beloved of Amun” and throne name “Powerful is the Maat of Ra, he whom Ra has chosen”. 

The coffin of Ramses II joins more than 180 priceless artefacts and ornate golden treasures in Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs, including one-of-a-kind relics such as sarcophagi, animal mummies, magnificent jewellery, spectacular royal masks, exquisite amulets – many of which have never left Egypt before. All of the objects in the exhibition have come from museums and historical sites in Egypt and are on loan from Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities.

This exceptional loan is the result of a long-standing working relationship between McKay and Dr Zahi Hawass, the curator of Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs and the former head of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, as well as the exhibition partners, Neon Global and World Heritage Exhibitions.

We reckon this remarkable addition certainly gives Sydney’s Egyptian blockbuster show an edge over Pharoah, the other big Ancient Egypt exhibition heading to Melbourne in 2024. (But that could just be our fierce inter-city rivalry – which runs as relentlessly as the River Nile – talking?) 

Calling all amateur Egyptologists, we’ve rounded up everything else we know about Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs over here. 

The sarcophagus of one of ancient Egypt’s most powerful Pharaohs, Ramses II, is on its way to Australia thanks to a rare loan to Sydney.

Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs exhibition is days away from opening and if you weren’t already excited for it, this might pique your interest. The Australian Museum has managed to score a royal coffin all the way from Egypt and it could be one of the most monumental ones to ever be discovered. The ornate sarcophagus of Ramses II is coming to Australia for the Sydney exclusive exhibition courtesy of a direct loan from Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities. The royal coffin has rarely ever left Egypt and Sydney will be the only city in the world aside from Paris to showcase it at the blockbuster exhibition.

Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs Exhibition, Sydney

The epic exhibition is set to open in Sydney this November and features over 180 Egyptian treasures including sarcophagi, animal mummies, royal masks and many more artefacts, some of which will be travelling outside of Egypt for the very first time. Making the stacked list even more grandiose is the coffin of Ramses II, one of the most powerful Pharaohs to have ever ruled Egypt.

“The beautiful sarcophagus of Ramses II will be the star attraction in the Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs exhibition and is a wonderful opportunity for Australian audiences to see this rare, fragile artefact in real life,” Australian Museum Director and CEO, Kim McKay AO, said of the striking coffin.

“Egyptians worshipped their Pharaohs, and their devotion to Ramses II can be seen through the craftsmanship of the coffin.”

The exhibition is an extensive look into the life of King Ramses II or Ramses the Great and chronicles his influential reign where he built more monuments than any other Egyptian king. The travelling exhibition is coming to Sydney after a successful run in Houston, San Francisco and Paris making it the fourth city out of 10 to be able to experience the extraordinary showcase.

Catch it at the Australian Museum in Sydney from November 18 to May 19, 2024. Tickets are on sale now. Get more information about the exhibition and book your tickets at the official Australian Museum website.

Egyptian and Australian officials said they are optimistic about the success of the 4th stop of the temporary historic exhibition “Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs”, set to open on November 17, in Sydney, Australia. Australian curators said they already sold 100,000 tickets a month before the opening.

During a press event to unveil the exhibition’s details on Monday, Ahmed Ghoneim, CEO of the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC), said he’s delighted to lend the coffin of Ramses II, which he described as “one of the most prominent antiquities displayed at NMEC”, adding that “it represents a great addition to the exhibition given the fame of Ramses II”.

The CEO believes that the participation of this coffin at the exhibition is “the best ambassador of Ancient Egypt and its eternal civilization.”

In its debut at the Houston Museum, US, in 2021, the exhibition hosted hundreds of thousands of visitors, and few more during its stop in San Francisco in 2022; but its third stop in Paris, at Lafayette Gallery during the first half of this year, it welcomed, 817,000 visitors within five months, according Mostafa Waziry, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA).

Waziri hailed the “great interest” the Australian museum has showed in hosting and promoting the exhibition, which promises success similar to that achieved in Paris.

He also expected the exhibition to achieve “a huge turnout and boost the influx of Australian tourists to Egypt in the near future, similar to the influx the country saw following the exhibition’s stop in France.”

The “Ramses and The Gold of Pharaohs” displays 181 antiquities from the collection of the Egyptian Museum, dating back to the Ramses II era, in addition to some antiquities discovered by the Egyptian expedition in the Bubasteum area in Saqqara.

Speaking at the press event, Zahi Hawass, a renowned Egyptologist and former Minister of Antiquities, described Ramses II, who ruled for 66 years, as the “King of Kings” and “ruler of the greatest and strongest Egyptian era”, noting that he was also known as “master of builders” because he built temples, statues, and obelisks more than any other king in Ancient Egypt.

For his part, John Norman, president of the firm curating the exhibition, expected the event to bring major success as over 100,000 tickets were sold before the opening.

“The coffin of Ramses II will be the star attraction in the exhibition,” said Kim McKay, the Australian Museum’s director and CEO, adding that “exhibiting this priceless antiquity, a strong symbol of one of the greatest leaders in the ancient world, is a remarkable success for our museum. Sydney is the world’s second city, after Paris, to display it. It’s an amazing opportunity for the Australian audience to see it alongside the other unique antiquities.”

The royal coffin rarely leaves Egypt, but it has been given permission to travel Down Under to display at the Australian Museum.

How do you make a blockbuster ancient Egypt exhibition even bigger? At the Australian Museum‘s upcoming Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs, adding the royal coffin that provided the resting place for the showcase’s namesake will do the trick. Already set to feature more than 181 rare artefacts and treasures, the Sydney event has now confirmed that the sarcophagus of Ramses II will also be on display Down Under — giving audiences a rare treat.

It isn’t often that the coffin is permitted to leave Egypt; however, it will head to the Harbour City after also recently displaying at the exhibition’s stop in Paris. When that happens, Sydney will become just the second city in the world outside of Egypt to show the 3000-plus-year-old item.

“The beautiful sarcophagus of Ramses II will be the star attraction in the Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs exhibition and is a wonderful opportunity for Australian audiences to see this rare, fragile artefact in real life,” said Australian Museum Director and CEO Kim McKay AO.

“Ramses’ coffin is a work of inestimable value and a powerful symbol of one of the greatest leaders of the ancient world. Egyptians worshipped their pharaohs, and their devotion to Ramses II can be seen through the craftsmanship of the coffin.”

“The coffin of Ramses II was one of the most popular objects in Ramses & The Gold of the Pharaohs in Paris, so we anticipate Australian audiences will find this priceless artefact equally enthralling. Shown in Australia for the very first time, Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs and the extraordinary loan of the coffin direct from Egypt, highlights how dynamic international relationships develop across the globe,” added World Heritage Exhibitions CEO John Norman.

This piece of history is carved from cedar, and discovered with the pharoah’s body more than two centuries ago, in 1811 within the Royal Cache at Deir el-Bahari.

If you need a reminder on your Egyptian history, Ramses II ruled over the country from 1279–1213 BCE. When Saturday, November 18 rolls around this year, a collection of items from the pharaoh’s rule will gleam in Australia, as first announced back in 2021 — including animal mummies, royal masks, jewellery, amulets and other golden items from the ruler’s tomb, plus now Ramses II’s coffin.

Focusing on Egypt’s third pharaoh from its 19th dynasty — a ruler also known as Ramses the Great, who enjoyed the second-longest reign of any pharaoh, and is considered a symbol of the country’s prosperous ancient New Kingdom period — the overall showcase is set to be big. The Australian Museum has dubbed it the largest cultural collection Down Under in more than a decade, in fact. While the hefty number of objects featured is impressive, so is their rare status; some of the pieces included haven’t ever left Egypt before.

Bringing a slice of history to Australia’s shores, Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs will be filled with items from museums and historical sites in Egypt, which are being loaned to the exhibition by Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities. Also included: letting attendees enter two of the ruler’s monuments — the Tomb of Queen Nefertari, and the temples of Abu Simbel — virtually.

Presented in partnership with World Heritage Exhibitions, Neon and the Houston Museum of Natural Science, with support by Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, and also funding from the NSW Government’s Create NSW Blockbusters Funding initiative, Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs heads to Australia after showing in Houston and San Francisco in the US, as well as its recent season until September in Paris.

Australia will also play host to another huge exhibition about ancient Egypt in 2024, with Pharaoh set to feature at Melbourne’s NGV International from June.

Ramses the Great and the Gold of the Pharaohs will display at the Australian Museum, 1 William Street, Sydney, from Saturday, November 18, 2023–Sunday, May 19, 2024 — head to the exhibition’s website for further details and tickets.