Ashraf AboArafe
Turkish traditional wedding dresses graced the heart of Cairo in a vibrant cultural celebration along the Nile—a night where Anatolian heritage met Egyptian warmth.
Hosted by the Turkish Embassy in Cairo, the event marked the centennial anniversary of Turkish–Egyptian diplomatic relations. Held in the garden of the ambassador’s residence and organized in collaboration with the Izmir Institute of Vocational Training under Türkiye’s Ministry of National Education, the evening unfolded as a living tableau of Turkish matrimonial traditions: a traditional bridal fashion show, a “Henna Night” ceremony, and a captivating Turkish musical performance. Guests were also treated to authentic Turkish wedding cuisine.
Fifteen Dresses, Fifteen Regions of Anatolian Grace
The runway featured fifteen traditional Turkish wedding dresses, carefully selected from across Türkiye’s diverse regions. Modeled by professional fashion models residing in Egypt, the pieces showcased the richness of Anatolian craftsmanship and the depth of Turkish cultural heritage. The inclusion of a “Henna Night” reenactment—the emotional, ritualistic pre-wedding celebration—added an immersive touch to the ceremony.
Bahadır Ozoşan Brings Turkish Melodies to the Nile
Bahadır Ozoşan, one of the prominent artists of the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT), delivered an unforgettable concert accompanied by a seven-member Turkish ensemble and three Egyptian saz players. In a beautiful gesture of cultural harmony, Ozoşan also performed the beloved Egyptian classic “Qadduka al-Mayyas”, earning warm applause and deep appreciation from the audience.
A New Humanitarian Model: Donations for Gaza Through the Red Crescent
In his remarks, Ambassador Salih Mutlu Şen highlighted the months of preparation for the event, explaining that it was organized in response to significant public interest in Egypt. He emphasized that all attendees donated EGP 5,000 directly to the Egyptian Red Crescent via the INSTAPAY application—a message of compassion and solidarity with the oppressed and affected people of Gaza.
Ambassador Şen described this as a pioneering model in Egypt, allowing the full value of event tickets to be transferred directly to the Red Crescent’s account. He expressed hope that this system would spread widely and inspire more charitable initiatives.
Wedding Dresses Auctioned for Gaza
In an emotional moment during the evening, two traditional Turkish wedding dresses were auctioned. The winning participants deposited their contributions directly into the Egyptian Red Crescent account, adding another layer of generosity to the night.
A Cultural Gathering with Distinguished Attendance
The celebration drew a wide spectrum of guests, including prominent business leaders in Egypt, influential figures from the Syrian business community, and well-known artists such as Iman Khalil, Ihab Fahmy, Yousra Fahmy, Mohamed Karim, Rola Zaki, and Mohamed Serag. Members of the press, artists from Gaza, and cultural personalities were also present, adding to the richness of the evening.
A night of beauty, heritage, and humanity—
Turkish traditional wedding dresses truly shimmered in Cairo.
