To commemorate Finland’s 100 years of independence as well as Finnish-Egyptian diplomatic relations, a recent celebration was held in Cairo, sponsored by Laura Kansikas-Debraise, Head of Mission of the Embassy of Finland in Cairo.
The celebration included a musical event that featured a new fusion piece of classical and Egyptian orchestral work at the Cairo Opera House. The concert, titled “Salute to Finland” was composed by Egyptian musician Sabry Hmeida and performed by the Cairo Symphony Orchestra conducted by Ahmed al-Saedi.
Mr Hmeida said that “Salute to Finland” was inspired by the works of famous Finnish composer Jean Sibelius (1865-1957). It combines between the Western classical music and Egyptian musical style to stress the close, long and deep relations between the two countries.
Music has log been a vital component of Finnish Egyptian relations. The Finland-Egypt Musical Bridge has been celebrated annually since 2007, and has been a valuable stepping stone for many young Egyptian opera singers and musicians to international careers. The Bridge joins together talented Egyptian musicians from the Cairo Opera House with world renowned Finnish maestros and performers through musical workshops, master classes and joint performances. Some of the young musicians are later invited to continue their studies at the Savonlinna Music Academy in Finland, and to perform during the International Savonlinna Opera Festival in the summertime.
Watani International
12 June 2018