By: Fatima Badawi
The Egyptian delegation delivered a remarkable musical performance as part of its participation in the World Festival of Youth in Sochi. Sherif Gad, Deputy Head of the delegation and supervisor of the musical event, stated that the Egyptian artistic presentation took place over two consecutive days.
The program featured a diverse range of performances, with singer and composer Mohamed Ezzat leading a group of singers in a varied musical showcase that captivated the attention of the global youth audience. The performances included a rendition of “Ya Habibti Ya Masr” (My Beloved Egypt) by the poet Mohamed Hamza and composer Baligh Hamdi, performed by singer Fareeda Osama. Additionally, singer Shahd El-Nubi presented “Naanay El-Geneina” (The Mint of the Garden) from southern folklore, while Ziad El-Sayed sang “Ya Masarwa” (Oh, Egypt) with lyrics by Shoukry Hegab and composed by Mohamed Ezzat.
Shaimaa El-Dawoudi performed religious chants, while Mohamed Ezzat himself sang “El-Arouss” (The Bride), with lyrics by Fouad Haddad and composed by Ezzat. He also presented “L’amal Dalla” (Hope is Wandering) by poet Mahmoud Darwish. Singer Mariam Gamal El-Din showcased a variety of songs from the Egyptian musical heritage, including a Russian folk song, while Renad Zein participated in the choral group in the musical program. Moreover, singer Shorouk Khalifa performed a Russian song titled “About the Distant Homeland.”
Gad noted that the performance was astonishing due to the diversity of Egyptian contributions, and it received high praise from the large audience of youth from around the world, particularly the Russian audience.
Mohamed Ezzat, the supervisor of the singing team, expressed his happiness with the outcome and the warm reception from the global youth audience, who received Egyptian songs with appreciation and admiration.
The Russian and international youth enthusiastically interacted with the Egyptian songs, applauding vigorously and requesting encores for some of the performances. Ezzat emphasized that presenting Egyptian music before an international audience was a unique and highly significant experience, personally touched by the great love shown towards Egyptian art.
The following day, the Egyptian delegation presented a classical ballet performance featuring Maryam Salah El-Din, Sandra Nader, and Natalie John. The ballet was performed against the backdrop of the song “Egypt is My Mother” sung by Fatima El-Saeed and Maestro Nader Abbas. In the second segment, they presented a ballet performance based on the “Mummy Parade” with vocals by Amira Salim and Nader Abbas. The performance was captivating and impressive, presented in striking Pharaonic costumes designed by Dr. Fatima Marzouk, which greatly impressed the international youth audience who attended the Egyptian ballet performance.
Dr. Abdullah Al-Batsh, head of the Egyptian delegation and Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports, praised the musical and ballet performances, which were fantastic and well-received by both the Russian audience and the international youth audience. Al-Batsh commended the artistic level of the Egyptian youth, which portrayed a distinguished image of Egyptian culture.
Sherif Gad, the supervisor of the musical event, expressed his satisfaction with the final outcome of the musical and ballet performances, affirming that the success was remarkable, evident from the overwhelming response of the international youth audience towards the Egyptian artists, congratulating them on their outstanding artistic level and exquisite performance in singing and ballet.
