Mexico’s Independence Day in Cairo celebrates people-to-people ties with Egypt

Mexico’s Chargé d’Affaires in Egypt, Héctor Ortega, highlighted the close cultural and people-to-people ties between Mexico and Egypt as he marked the 216th anniversary of the beginning of Mexico’s struggle for independence at the House of Mexico in Cairo. Addressing Egyptian officials, members of the diplomatic corps, Mexican nationals and guests, Ortega said that celebrating Mexico’s national occasion thousands of kilometres from home gives the event “a very special meaning”, stressing that Mexico remains present in Cairo through its people, culture and traditions. “Mexico and Egypt are two countries with extraordinary histories. But our friendship is not about looking back. It is about what we are building together, today,” Ortega said.

Reflecting on his five years in Egypt, Ortega said he had come to recognise that Mexicans and Egyptians share more similarities than they sometimes realise. He pointed to family values, pride in national heritage, food, music and celebrations, as well as what he described as a shared sense of hospitality. Ortega also referred to the Mexican expression “ Mi casa es tu casa” — “My house is your house” — saying that Egyptians understand the meaning of the phrase and that this shared sense of hospitality helps bring the two communities closer despite the geographical distance between their countries. “Relations between countries are not built only in ministries, embassies or meeting rooms. They are built between people,” Ortega said. Addressing Mexican nationals living in Egypt, Ortega stressed that Mexico remains present despite the distance from their homeland, thanking them for “keeping Mexico alive in Egypt” and for representing their country. He also expressed appreciation to Egyptian friends for making the…