Zahi Hawass has a lot to say. Usually he is criticizing museums across the world of displaying looted items from Egypt and demanding their return, and now he is criticizing pop-singer Beyonce.
In an a recent article, Hawass insulted Beyonce, calling her "stupid" because she was ignorant of Egypt's history. Hawass recognizes Beyonce and a public figure and because she is so well known, Hawass believes she has an obligation to promote the country that she is visiting.
Beyonce was photographed being guided around historical monuments, but Hawass believes that Beyonce is ignorant of all that is Egyptian and that she makes no effort to understand.
Beyonce was photographed being guided around historical monuments, but Hawass believes that Beyonce is ignorant of all that is Egyptian and that she makes no effort to understand.
The question raised here is: Do celebrities have any obligation to history? Harrison Ford, for example, is a member of AIA and is recognized for his "promotion" of archaeology. Do other celebrities have an obligation to promote other countries and their history?
Celebrities like Beyonce are role-models and their interest in the past can lead to growth in appreciation for archaeology. However, I do not believe that celebrities have an obligation to promote archaeology. Just because Beyonce is visiting a certain country does not mean she needs to know the advanced history of Egypt. Millions of tourists visit Egypt each year, many with little to no knowledge of the pyramids or other monuments.
Celebrities are not archaeologists or historians nor do they claim to be.
It seems to me that Beyonce was truly trying to understand the culture and embrace is and Hawass was just complaining...again.
Not all archaeologists in Egypt feel the same as Hawass, but they do understand his power which is evidenced in the following quote from the article:
“We are talking about an Egyptian government official and he goes as says something like this? Come on, this is very rude and totally undiplomatic,” said another archaeologist, both of whom asked not to be named as their current work is funded by the council headed by Hawass.
Hawass has been creating a huge stir in the world of archaeology as of late and his comments towards Beyonce is surely going to get publicity. So, I must wonder, was this just a publicity stunt?
Link to article:http://bikyamasr.com/?p=5683
Not BEYSUS!
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