Shanghai Museum hosts ‘Meow Night’ featuring Egyptian cat imagery

SHANGHAI – Shanghai Museum has become a major attraction this summer, hosting an exhibition that features ancient Egyptian relics. Among the standout pieces are statues and imagery of cats, which have drawn significant attention.

In a unique twist, on select Saturday nights, the museum allows up to 200 visitors to bring their own cats. This initiative is inspired by the ancient Egyptians’ veneration of Bastet, the goddess of protection, often depicted as a cat. The museum has provided a section of the exhibition named “The Secrets of Saqqara” specifically for these feline visitors.

Shanghai Museum Deputy Director Li Feng detailed the inspiration behind this concept, mentioning that Egyptian archaeological teams had discovered a cat temple in Saqqara. Inside, they had found numerous cat mummies and statues. This discovery led the museum to focus on a cat theme, eventually coining the event “Meow Night.”

The exhibition, “Top of the Pyramids: Ancient Egyptian Civilization,” opened on July 19 and will run until August 17, 2025. “Meow Night” is scheduled for at least 10 Saturdays, with six already held. Tickets for these events, including the 200 bring-a-cat slots, consistently sell out.

Participants are encouraged to bring their cats in carriers or pet strollers. However, they can only let them out in designated areas, such as for a photo opportunity beside a statue of Bastet. Ensuring the well-being of the cats is a top priority; they undergo checks for up-to-date vaccinations and signs of illness or stress before being admitted. On-site veterinarians and rest areas are available to ensure the cats remain comfortable.

Visitor Qiu Jiakai, who attended “Meow Night” with her one-year-old cat, An Mao, shared her excitement. “It’s very special that you can bring a cat with you,” she said. Qiu was particularly fascinated by the narrator’s introduction, which explained that many of today’s domestic cats are descendants of those once domesticated in ancient Egypt. This insight motivated her to bring An Mao to connect with its ancestors and the cat goddess.

Source: Casey Hall and Xihao Jiang