Ashraf AboArafe
The Turkish Embassy in Cairo hosted a vibrant celebration of Nowruz, the shared festival of the Turkic world, conveying messages of friendship, peace, and renewal. The event brought together a distinguished audience, including the Ambassador of Kazakhstan, Askar Zhenis, alongside diplomatic representatives from Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, and Hungary, as well as prominent Egyptian cultural and artistic figures and members of the press.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Salih Mutlu Şen highlighted that Nowruz, believed to date back at least three thousand years, symbolizes the arrival of spring and fosters values of harmony, reconciliation, and solidarity. He described the occasion as a celebration of coexistence with nature, a moment for resolving differences, and a reaffirmation of brotherhood among peoples.
Ambassador Şen also expressed a heartfelt hope that peace would prevail over the conflicts, bloodshed, and suffering witnessed in the region in recent times. He underscored that both Turkey and Egypt are making sustained efforts to advance peace, stability, and prosperity, working together on shared ground. In a symbolic reflection, he noted that the unusually heavy rainfall in Egypt the previous day could be seen as a sign of abundance and blessing.
He further emphasized that Nowruz was inscribed in 2009 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, and was declared a shared holiday by the Organization of Turkic States in 2025.
As part of the festivities, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, along with the Yunus Emre Institute, presented cultural booths showcasing the significance of Nowruz. Guests enjoyed a rich selection of Turkish cuisine while experiencing traditional Nowruz rituals, Turkish music, and folk dances.
The celebration also featured joyful performances reflecting themes of abundance and new beginnings. Video presentations illustrated how Nowruz is celebrated across the Turkic world, accompanied by traditional songs from member states of the Organization of Turkic States—creating an atmosphere where diplomacy and culture seamlessly converged.
