The pharaohs of ancient Egypt ruled for life. For a ruler blessed with longevity, it was customary to celebrate a great anniversary festival, the heb sed, in year 30 of the reign. 

This royal jubilee emphasized his/her vitality and worthiness to continue ruling, and endowed the physical body with fitness to continue as ruler. The kingdom-wide celebration of feasting, parades, religious processions, and new buildings was sometimes repeated over the next decade at the pharaoh’s command.  We find documentation for these events inscribed in stone across the breadth of Egypt.

While it’s hard to evoke the excitement of cheering crowds and joyous entertainment in a Zoom format, ARCE DC intends to celebrate our 35th year as a chapter of the American Research Center in Egypt by sharing information on key elements of heb seds: gold, feasts, rituals, building, publicity, murals, and symbolism. These will be worked into lectures, and sporadic posts on the chapter’s Facebook page. We hope you come join the celebrations!

When: Saturday, May 4, 2024, at noon (eastern US time) on Zoom

Presented by: Dr. Kei Yamamoto

When: Saturday, July 13, 2024, at 1 pm (eastern US time) on Zoom

Presented by: Dr. Kate Liszka