French statue considered offensive by Egyptians back in spotlight
Egyptian archaeologists are taking advantage of the global anti-racism movement to renew their calls on the French government to remove a statue of Jean Francois Champollion, who deciphered hieroglyphics, kneeling on the head of a Pharaonic king.
The death May 25 of George Floyd has triggered massive international anti-racism demonstrations following calls to remove statues and monuments of historical personalities and achievements symbolizing racism and slavery.
Bassam el-Shammaa, a researcher in Egyptology and a senior tour guide, told Al-Monitor that the current protests that are rocking the United States and the United Kingdom and include the removal of racist statues are a golden opportunity for Egypt to demand the removal of the shameful Champollion statue in France.
Shammaa talked about the marble statue of the French archaeologist Jean Francois Champollion, who deciphered hieroglyphics in the 19th century. It depicts him standing with his left boot on a copy of a Pharaonic king’s head. The statue was carved in 1875 by Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, and is located in the courtyard of the College de France.
“The statue looks like the murder scene of George Floyd under the knee of the police officer," said Shammaa, who is also a member of the Egyptian Writers Union. “I hope that the French people who adore the Egyptian civilization support us and call their government to remove this shameful statue.”
