Egypt’s Culture Minister Farouk Hosny, together with the head of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, Dr. Zahi Hawass announced the opening of Cairo’s first Museum of Coptic Art, named ‘Coptic Art Revealed’.

"The show focuses on the splendors of the Coptic era and highlights the Copts’ outstanding contribution to Egypt’s diverse and rich heritage," said Dr. Hawass in a statement. The public will be able to view more than 200 treasures at the exhibition. Items on show include many painted icons by renowned artists; textiles and illuminated manuscripts; stone and wooden friezes with intricate Coptic designs, ornaments and other artifacts. The objects on display were carefully selected from several museum collections in Egypt, the exhibition's creator and director Nadja Tomoum told Egyptian online newspaper.

The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Fustat, the Museum of Islamic Art in Babul Khalq, the National Museum, the Greco-Roman Museum and the Museum of the New Library in Alexandria are among museums which have loaned items to the exhibition, Tomoum said. ‘Coptic Art Revealed' is taking place at the 14thcentury Al-Amir Taz Palace, one of the best known Mamluk Palaces remaining in Cairo's historic centre.

The exhibition runs from 9 December - 31 January, and has been organized to celebrate the hundredth anniversary of the Coptic Art Museum, which was renovated and reopened in 2006. Islamic and religious leaders from Egypt's minority Coptic Christian church are due to attend the exhibition.