Ashraf AboArafe
The Turkish Embassy in Cairo hosted a vibrant celebration on May 15, in honor of the International Day of Families, with the participation of ambassadors from various countries accredited in Cairo, as well as prominent Egyptian guests from the fields of politics, culture, and the arts.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador of Türkiye to Egypt, Salih Mutlu Şen, highlighted that under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Türkiye has declared 2025 as the “Year of the Family”, with the aim of safeguarding traditional family values and raising awareness about the significance of the family unit. He noted that a range of incentive programs have already been launched to support youth marriage and family formation.
Ambassador Şen further pointed out that the United Nations General Assembly has officially observed May 15 as the International Day of Families since 1993, acknowledging the fundamental role that families play in all societies.
He emphasized that the concept of family is enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of Türkiye, which states that “the family is the foundation of society.” He added that the family is the first institution where individuals receive their foundational education, internalize values, and prepare to become active contributors to society.
Ambassador Şen underlined that Turkish society has always placed great importance on the family, seeing it not merely as a social structure but as a vessel for preserving cultural heritage and transmitting traditions to future generations.
He also expressed his appreciation for Egypt’s efforts in promoting and supporting the family institution, emphasizing the shared cultural values between the Egyptian and Turkish peoples.
The ambassador concluded his remarks by thanking all the distinguished guests from various countries for attending this meaningful occasion.
Following the speech, guests viewed a special video presentation prepared by the Ministry of Family and Social Services of the Republic of Türkiye focusing on the value and importance of family. This was followed by a briefing on initiatives to strengthen the structure of the Turkish family.
The celebration concluded with the unveiling of a painting by talented young Egyptian artist Mona Rifaat, who transformed a photograph taken by Ambassador Şen of the Nile River into a stunning oil painting, symbolizing cultural and artistic harmony between Türkiye and Egypt.
