Ashraf AboArafe
As part of the celebrations marking the centennial of diplomatic relations between Turkey and Egypt, the Turkish Embassy in Cairo hosted a captivating fashion show titled **”Our Wedding”**, alongside the exhibition **”Bridal Bouquet”**, highlighting the rich and diverse wedding traditions of Anatolia. The event took place under the cultural initiative *”Welcome to Egypt”*, sponsored by Mrs. Naglaa Abdel Salam, wife of Egyptian Foreign Minister Dr. Badr Abdel Aaty.
The project was a collaborative effort between the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of National Education, Ankara Institute of Music and Fine Arts, the Ottoman Era Music Research and Application Center at Istanbul University, the Egyptian Diplomatic Spouses Association (EDSA), and Turkish Airlines.
**A Cultural Bridge Through Wedding Fashion**
The show, hosted at the Turkish Embassy in Cairo, was graciously received by Mrs. Ayşen Balcıkşen, wife of Turkish Ambassador Salih Mutlu Şen. Distinguished guests included the spouses of Egyptian and foreign ambassadors, as well as prominent figures from cultural and diplomatic circles.
Traditional wedding gowns representing various regions of Anatolia were presented, showcasing exceptional craftsmanship and reflecting the deep-rooted cultural heritage of Turkey. The show was accompanied by classical Turkish music and a special rendition of the iconic Egyptian song *”Alf Leila wa Leila”* (One Thousand and One Nights) in tribute to the legendary singer Umm Kulthum, commemorating the 50th anniversary of her passing.
**Shared Heritage, Shared Values**
In her speech, Mrs. Ayşen Şen noted that wedding traditions such as the bridal bouquet remain prevalent in Egypt, albeit with local variations. She emphasized that customs like the bridal trousseau symbolize a unifying cultural thread spanning Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. She described these shared “cultural treasures” as expressions of the artistic depth and collective memory of two great civilizations — Turkish and Egyptian — and their reverence for the institution of family.
She further highlighted the slogan *”Strong Women, Strong Families, Strong Turkey”* as a core value of the “Century of Türkiye” vision introduced by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, noting that 2025 has been officially declared as the “Year of the Family” in Turkey.
**Toward Deeper Cultural Cooperation**
Mrs. Şen also revealed that collaborative cultural projects are underway between Turkey and Egypt, particularly in the field of music, aligning with Egypt’s declaration of 2025 as “The Year of Umm Kulthum.”
The event was warmly received by attendees, who applauded the presentation and praised the aesthetic richness of the designs.
Meanwhile, Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, visited Cairo on May 6 to attend the D-8 Ministerial Meeting on Tourism. During his visit, he met with Egyptian Minister of Culture Dr. Ahmed Hanno. Ambassador Salih Mutlu Şen stated that the meeting included discussions on organizing joint musical concerts that highlight the shared elements and mutual heritage of Turkish and Egyptian music. 
