The American Research Center in Egypt (ARCE) ,The American University in Cairo (AUC) and the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities (MoTA) are organizing a concurrent exhibition and a joint conference titled:

Exalted Spirits: The Veneration of the Dead in Egypt through the Ages.

The exhibition will open on the 9th of November, 2021 at The Egyptian Museum in Cairo and will be followed by a three-day conference from the 10th to the 12th of November, 2021.

This three-day conference in partnership with The American University in Cairo (AUC) and the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities (MoTA), will cover the veneration of deceased figures in Egypt from the Pharaonic period up to current times, using the diverse evidence available in terms of texts, images, and lived traditions.

The conference will feature academic papers as well as panel discussions focusing on current practices related to the veneration of the dead and their origins, which may be traced back to ancient Egypt, and is aimed at both academic and non-academic participants. The former will present academic papers, while the latter (which may include creatives from different fields) would participate in panel discussions. Academic papers will be published in a peer-reviewed publication.

To view the agenda, click here

To view the Abstract booklet, click here

ARCE is welcoming registrations through Eventtus; a platform that allows access to the event both virtually and in-person.

To register, you will need to proceed with the following steps:

  • Visit this link
  • Log in if you have an account on “Eventtus” (the conference platform) or signup to be able to register for the event and check the conference agenda. This step ensures you do not have to sign up on the event day. 
  • Click “Register Now” to complete the registration process (you will still need to proceed with this step regardless of previous registration). 
  • Fill in your registration information, answer the registration questions and click “submit”.
  • Continue and “Confirm”. You will receive a confirmation and thank you message by email. 
  • Once you finalize your registration, you will get an email with your Ticket ID and information. Keep this email handy as you will need the ticker ID to access the event virtually or in-person. 
  • Visit the following link once again, sign in and plug in your Ticket ID received by mail.
  • Create your conference attendee profile and “Get Started”. You will now have access to the conference landing page and be able to view all conference materials.

If you have any questions, please contact the Conference Secretariat, at: exaltedspirits21@arce.org

The American Research Center in Egypt (ARCE) ,The American University in Cairo (AUC) and the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities (MoTA) are organizing a concurrent exhibition and a joint conference titled:

Exalted Spirits: The Veneration of the Dead in Egypt through the Ages.

The exhibition will open on the 9th of November, 2021 at The Egyptian Museum in Cairo and will be followed by a three-day conference from the 10th to the 12th of November, 2021.

This concurrent exhibition at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, in partnership with The American University in Cairo (AUC) and the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities (MoTA), will run from November 9, 2021 till February 9, 2022.

The dead, whether kings, revered individuals, or family members, have been venerated in some way in Egypt throughout its 5000-year history. These exalted spirits were venerated not only as semi-divinities, but also because they could intercede with the gods for the living. In Islamic Egypt it concentrated on figures seen as closest to God. Their special status implied that prayers made through them were more effective. This exhibition explores who was venerated, why, and how, and traces traditions that link ancient Egypt to the modern day. 

To view the brochure, click here