Turkish Ambassador in Cairo Highlights Cultural Ties with Egypt Through Cinema

The Turkish Ambassador to Egypt, Salih Mutlu Şen, welcomed a group of prominent Egyptian actors and actresses in Cairo this week, in a warm gathering that celebrated their contributions to culture and society through art and charitable initiatives.

During the discussions, the Ambassador praised the invaluable role Egyptian cinema has played in shaping Arab culture, noting its golden era in the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s when Egyptian films enjoyed wide popularity across Turkey. He recalled the legacy of great Egyptian artists such as Farid al-Atrash, who even starred in Turkish productions during the 1960s, serving as a cultural bridge between the two nations.

Ambassador Şen also reflected on the success of Turkish television dramas in Egypt today, attributing their popularity to three factors: advanced technical production capacity, a strong focus on relatable social issues, and the high level of professional compensation that attracts talent and ensures quality. He emphasized that for many Egyptian viewers, Turkish culture and society feel familiar rather than foreign, allowing audiences to connect deeply with the stories portrayed on screen.

Both sides expressed optimism about the future of cultural cooperation, voicing hopes for joint Egyptian–Turkish film and television projects that draw inspiration from the two countries’ shared history and rich traditions.

The Ambassador concluded by reaffirming that Egypt remains the heart of the Arab cinematic world, while Turkey continues to expand its cultural influence through television and film. He stressed that deepening collaboration in this field would not only strengthen artistic ties but also foster mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of Egypt and Turkey.