Sphinx that angered Egypt has had its day in the sun
Print Edition
A REPLICA of a sphinx in north China that angered Egyptian authorities so much they complained about it to the United Nations is to be torn down, its builders said yesterday.
The replica proved a popular attraction at the Hebei Cultural Renovation Park on the outskirts of Shijiazhuang, capital of north China’s Hebei Province.
A series of photographs posted on the Internet went viral and alerted the Egyptian government department responsible for antiquities.
Department head Ali Al-Asfar said: “We have complained to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Our foreign affairs bureau will contact China. We will discuss about how to resolve it — either Egypt asks for compensation or China pulls down the replica.”
“Whatever your aim is, you have infringed our right,” the Egyptian official added. “The replica has big differences with the original one, which will also mislead visitors.”
He said that whoever built the replica should have informed the antiquities department in advance because the venture could have a detrimental effect on Egyptian tourism.
However, a Hebei park manager said that the replica, made from steel bars and cement, had been built as a temporary prop for filming. “Once the shooting is finished, it will be pulled down,” he said.
He added that it had not been used to make money and was sorry that Egyptian officials had misinterpreted their intentions.
“We are very respectful to world cultural heritage and express our apologies for any misunderstanding,” the manager said.
The sphinx is a mythical creature with the body of a lion and a human head. The Great Sphinx of Giza is the largest and most famous example, at 74 meters long and 20 meters tall. Believed to have been built some 4,500 years ago it is situated at the Giza Plateau adjacent to the Great Pyramids of Giza on the west bank of the Nile.
There has been no response from UNESCO.
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