The Mexican embassy in Cairo recently celebrated the 216th anniversary of Mexico's Independence Day with a reception in Maadi. The event, held on September 17, brought together diplomats, Egyptian officials, and members of the Mexican community to celebrate Egyptian-Mexican ties. Mexico's Chargé d'Affaires a.i. Hector Ortega hosted the reception, which featured Mexican music, food, and cultural traditions.
In his speech, Ortega highlighted the close people-to-people ties between Mexico and Egypt. He described the embassy as the "House of Mexico in Egypt" and emphasized that the celebration offered a chance to bring Mexican culture to Cairo while strengthening ties between the two countries. Ortega also pointed to similarities between Mexican and Egyptian society, including strong family ties and a love of celebrations.
Ortega noted that relations between countries are built between people, not just in ministries or embassies. He thanked Egyptian friends for helping Mexicans feel at home in Egypt and expressed gratitude to the event's sponsors and embassy staff. Ortega then invited guests to experience Mexican culture through the evening's food and music, encouraging them to "forget that you are in Cairo" and "welcome to Mexico."
Mexico celebrates its Independence Day on September 16, commemorating the beginning of its independence movement against Spanish colonial rule in 1810. The movement began with the "Grito de Dolores" (Cry of Dolores), a call to uprising issued by Catholic priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla in Dolores, Guanajuato. The war continued for 11 years before independence was achieved in September 1821.
The annual observances of Mexico's Independence Day traditionally center on the "Grito de Independencia," with the Mexican president delivering the commemorative call from the National Palace in Mexico City on the night of September 15. The Cairo reception featured live Mexican music performed by Arcelus and a selection of Mexican dishes. Turkish Airlines also organized a tombola offering three prizes of direct flights from Cairo to Mexico.
All three prizes in the tombola were won by women. The event was attended by foreign ambassadors, senior Egyptian officials, and members of the Mexican community. Ortega has spent five years in Egypt and emphasized the shared values of hospitality between Mexicans and Egyptians, referencing the Mexican expression "Mi casa es tu casa" ("My house is your house").
The Mexican embassy's celebration of Independence Day in Cairo highlights the strong ties between Mexico and Egypt. The event showcased Mexican culture and provided an opportunity for people from both countries to come together and celebrate their friendship. Key to this friendship are the people-to-people ties that Ortega emphasized in his speech.
Key points
- The Mexican embassy in Cairo celebrated its 216th Independence Day with a reception featuring Mexican music, food, and cultural traditions.
- The event highlighted the close people-to-people ties between Mexico and Egypt, with similarities in societal values such as strong family ties and a love of celebrations.
- The celebration showcased Mexican culture in Cairo and provided an opportunity for people from both countries to come together and celebrate their friendship.
