Culture

Yale embarks on groundbreaking initiative with museums and cultural institutions across Africa

Published

3 years ago

October 17, 2023

NEW HAVEN, Connect, 13 October 2023 -/African Media Agency(AMA)/- The Yale Institute for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage (IPCH) is launching a new initiative today that supports museums and cultural institutions across Africa, an endeavor that will establish a new network of leaders, educational programs, and strategic partnerships with universities and global institutions.

The goal is to cultivate a new generation of skilled practitioners in the culture and heritage sector, who will preserve and promote the continent’s rich collections, said Charlotte Ashamu, the Director of International Programs at IPCH.

“This initiative will develop vibrant programs to promote a deeper understanding of the world’s cultural heritage and create a unique platform to foster learning, creativity, and innovation within the field,” Ashamu said.

A crucial component of this initiative is the launch of the Yale Directors Forum, a fellowship program tailored for leaders of museums, cultural centers, libraries, archives, and heritage sites, all of which play an integral role in preserving cultural heritage for present and future generations in Africa. The 18-month program will give participants the opportunity to work with leading experts at Yale and across the globe, and receive personalized executive coaching and advisory services on the preservation and care of collections.

Yale University President, Peter Salovey, who established the Yale Africa Initiative in 2013, said the new program underscores Yale’s commitment to prioritizing and expanding its engagement with Africa through robust partnerships, scholarly activities, and contemporary dialogues.

“I am honored to welcome the first cohort of the Yale Directors Forum,” Salovey said. “This program will strengthen connections between members of the Yale community and exceptional leaders working in the culture and heritage sector across Africa.”

The first cohort consists of 17 fellows from 12 African countries. This diverse group includes Chao Tayiana Maina, an award-winning historian from Kenya; Michaella Rugwizangoga, Rwanda’s Chief Tourism Officer; and Makhosi Mahlangu, a chef and specialist in indigenous foods from Zimbabwe.

“This fellowship is an exciting opportunity to learn and contribute to contemporary discourse around the preservation of cultural heritage,” said Seun Oduwole, Co-founder and Director of Living Objects who is one of the selected fellows. “It is an honor to join a distinguished network of peers and practitioners in Africa and globally.”

About IPCH:

The Institute for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage (IPCH) was established in 2011 as the collaborative hub of preservation and conservation expertise across Yale’s extraordinary libraries, museums, and special collections. Working at the intersection of the arts, sciences, and humanities, IPCH enacts its mission through collections stewardship, ground-breaking research, and teaching, learning, and mentorship programs that engage students, faculty, and experts from across campus and around the globe.

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Crowds Gather for Rare Sunrise at Egypt’s Abu Simbel Temple

Published

4 days ago

October 23, 2026

David Ogunjobi

Hundreds of tourists gathered at Egypt’s Abu Simbel temple to witness the twice-yearly sunrise ceremony illuminating Pharaoh Ramses II’s statue

Hundreds of tourists gathered at Egypt’s Abu Simbel temple on Thursday to witness a spectacular sunrise phenomenon in which sunlight illuminated the face of the statue of Pharaoh Ramses II, an event that occurs only twice a year.

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The ancient astronomical ceremony drew visitors from different parts of the world to the archaeological site in southern Egypt on October 22, one of two dates associated with the phenomenon.

The second occurrence takes place on February 22, when the rising sun illuminates the temple’s interior.

Egyptian tour guide Yasser Fouad described the occasion as extraordinary, saying some visitors had stayed overnight to secure the opportunity to witness the event.

“Today is an extraordinary day, everyone is keen, there are people who stayed over the night, foreigners who actually spent the night in Abu Simbel to see this phenomenon,” Fouad said.

The Great Temple of Ramses II at Abu Simbel dates back to the 13th century BC and is among Egypt’s most prominent archaeological attractions.

Built during the reign of Ramses II, one of ancient Egypt’s most powerful pharaohs, the temple is renowned for its monumental statues and sophisticated architectural design.

The twice-yearly sunrise phenomenon is a major attraction, drawing visitors eager to witness the interaction between sunlight and the temple’s ancient structure.

The dates have traditionally been associated with significant moments in Ramses II’s life.

October 22 is commonly linked to his birthday, while February 22 is associated with his accession to the throne.

However, the precise historical reasons behind the dates remain debated.

Some archaeologists have proposed alternative explanations, including that they may have marked the pharaoh’s coronation and birthday.

Abu Simbel underwent a major international rescue operation in the 1960s, when archaeologists and engineers relocated the temples to protect them from flooding caused by the construction of the Aswan High Dam.

The monumental structures were cut into large blocks and reassembled at a higher location, preserving the site for future generations.

The relocation was one of the most significant archaeological preservation projects of the 20th century.

Despite the move, the temple continues to attract visitors for its ancient Egyptian art, monumental architecture and remarkable alignment with the rising sun.

Also read: 16 Famous Cultural Festivals That Define India

The annual gatherings highlight the enduring appeal of Egypt’s archaeological heritage and the continuing fascination with the astronomical knowledge and engineering achievements of its ancient civilisation.