Ashraf AboArafe ✍️
In a night shimmering with history and harmony, the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in Cairo celebrated the 102nd anniversary of the Turkish Republic, marking a century and more of resilience, renewal, and unity. The grand reception — attended by over a thousand guests, including dignitaries, diplomats, artists, and cultural icons — became a living bridge between the Nile and the Bosphorus.
This year’s Republic Day celebration carried a deeper symbolism, as 2025 marks the centenary of diplomatic relations between Türkiye and Egypt — two nations bound by geography, culture, and destiny. The evening thus became a dual celebration: of a republic’s endurance and a friendship reborn.
The ceremony opened with the national anthems of Türkiye and Egypt, performed movingly by an Egyptian orchestra, followed by traditional and classical pieces from both nations, echoing the shared rhythms of their intertwined civilizations.
In his heartfelt address, Ambassador Salih Mutlu Şen, Türkiye’s envoy to Egypt, highlighted the profound significance of this milestone, emphasizing that under the shared leadership and mutual vision of Presidents Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, both countries have expanded and deepened their relations across many domains — from trade and tourism to culture and the arts.
He noted the unprecedented pace of high-level diplomatic exchanges, recalling President Erdoğan’s three visits to Egypt within the past eighteen months, and President El-Sisi’s visit to Türkiye in September 2024, during which the first High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council convened. The next meeting, Şen announced, is expected in early 2026, with President Erdoğan visiting Cairo once again.
Ambassador Şen reaffirmed that the modern Republic of Türkiye remains steadfast in promoting peace, stability, and cooperation throughout the Middle East, guided by the enduring principle of its founder Mustafa Kemal Atatürk: “Peace at Home, Peace in the World.”
He praised the growing coordination between Ankara and Cairo, exemplified by their joint participation in the recent Peace Summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, where the “Trump Declaration for Lasting Peace and Prosperity” was signed by Türkiye, Egypt, the United States, and Qatar — a hopeful step toward ending the suffering of the oppressed people of Gaza.
Şen affirmed Türkiye’s full readiness to contribute to Gaza’s reconstruction efforts and to deliver humanitarian assistance in close cooperation with Egypt, announcing Türkiye’s strong participation in the upcoming Cairo Reconstruction Conference.
On a cultural note, the Ambassador expressed anticipation for Türkiye’s high-level participation in the upcoming inauguration of the Grand Egyptian Museum, describing it as a gift from Egypt to the heritage of humanity. He also extended warm congratulations to Dr. Khaled El-Anany, recently elected Director-General of UNESCO, expressing confidence in his ability to represent the Arab, African, and Mediterranean worlds with excellence.
Ambassador Şen reflected on Türkiye’s remarkable progress over its 102 years — in education, healthcare, industry, and infrastructure — and reiterated his country’s commitment to President Erdoğan’s vision of building “a more just world”, through cooperation with international partners for peace and equitable development.
He underscored that the past 22 years of leadership have propelled Türkiye toward unprecedented growth, creating fertile ground for renewed partnership with Egypt — two civilizational powers sharing over a millennium of history across the Mediterranean.
As the evening drew to a close, the Ambassador announced a series of centennial events to continue throughout the year: a traditional Turkish bridal fashion show on November 19, with proceeds donated to the Egyptian Red Crescent for Gaza; a musical soirée at the Ambassador’s Residence on November 3; and a grand concert at the Cairo Opera House on November 5, featuring Turkish pianist Rüya Taner and Egyptian soprano Amira Ahmed. He also revealed plans for art exhibitions on Turkish–Egyptian calligraphy and cartoon art on Gaza.
He concluded with words that resonated deeply through the hall:
“Long live Türkiye,
long live Egypt,
long live Palestine.”
Thus ended an evening that was not merely a diplomatic celebration, but a poetic affirmation — that between Ankara and Cairo, the melody of friendship still plays on,
a century-old symphony of peace, dignity, and shared hope.
