Culturefix 2026 - Guardians of Antiquity: A Conversation with Dr. Zahi Hawass

Deborah Lehr, and Zahi Hawass as featured on Meridian International Center

At a time when debates over who owns history are unfolding in courtrooms, parliaments, and public squares around the world, Egypt’s ancient past sits at the center of global attention. The story of pharaohs, pyramids, and hidden tombs is no longer confined to textbooks and museum labels; it is invoked in negotiations over repatriation, in campaigns for cultural justice, and in the race to protect fragile sites from conflict, looting, and climate change. In this moment of heightened scrutiny and fascination, Dr. Zahi Hawass brings to life the journey of Egypt’s most iconic treasures—from the sands of Giza to the vaults and galleries of major institutions—revealing how each artifact carries questions of power, identity, and belonging. Through vivid accounts of discovery, controversy, and cooperation, explore how the guardians of antiquity help nations shape their narratives on the world stage and why the stakes around cultural heritage have never been higher.