Egypt’s Minister of Culture, Ahmed Fouad Hano, welcomed Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, along with his accompanying delegation and Turkish Ambassador to Egypt, Salih Mutlu Şen, in Cairo today. The high-level meeting forms part of joint efforts to strengthen cultural relations and explore new areas of collaboration between the two countries.
Discussions during the meeting focused on a wide range of proposals to expand the scope of cultural cooperation. Among the ideas put forward were exchanges of Opera House performances, the organisation of fine arts exhibitions featuring both Egyptian and Turkish artists, and enhanced support for translation efforts, particularly reverse translation from Arabic to Turkish. This initiative aims to introduce Arab literature and thought to a broader Turkish audience.
The talks also included topics such as collaborating to safeguard intangible cultural heritage, as well as encouraging participation by artists and artistic groups in international festivals hosted by both nations. The ministers explored plans for mutual cultural events and special cultural days to further bring the two cultures closer together.
Minister Hano described the meeting as “a qualitative step towards activating the paths of cultural cooperation between Egypt and Türkiye, and opening new horizons for creative partnership and exchange of experiences.”
He underscored that the Egyptian Ministry of Culture places the highest priority on building bridges of dialogue and exchange worldwide, viewing culture as a soft force that strengthens Egypt’s presence on the international stage.
Highlighting the strategic importance of this partnership, Minister Hano extended an invitation to Turkish artists and filmmakers to participate in the next edition of the Cairo International Film Festival in 2025.
Expressing his gratitude for the warm reception in Cairo, Minister Ersoy affirmed Türkiye’s strong desire to broaden cultural ties with Egypt.
“Culture is a bridge for understanding and rapprochement between peoples,” he emphasised, describing the meeting as a valuable opportunity to share visions for upcoming cultural and artistic projects.
In the spirit of deepening collaboration, Minister Ersoy officially invited the Egyptian Ministry of Culture to take part in the World Cultures Festival, a major event to be held in 20 cities across Türkiye.
