The experience of traveling to the metropolis of 22 million residents, home to the world’s new largest museum, in the historic city of stark contrasts, at the crossroads of cultures and ancient Greece – a triumphant meeting of two of the world’s greatest civilizations under the melodies of Mikis Theodorakis performed by the ERT Symphony Orchestra at the packed Cairo Opera House.

In Cairo, you sense that history carries a different weight, filled with memories that reach back to the depths of the ages, from Pharaohs and sacred secrets that come from the Underworld, giving this dominant civilization, which built its brilliant city on the banks of the Nile, a distinct significance.

The river holds its own magic, which we feel as soon as we arrive at Zamalek Island, where the Greek ambassador’s residence is located, a beautiful building that once hosted the exiled Greek government during the Occupation and today serves as a link for the strong Greek-Egyptian relations. Just a few days after Ramadan—still adorned with shiny ribbons in the neighborhoods, which Arabs use to honor their major holiday—the guests dress in their finest and are graciously hosted by Greek Ambassador Nikolaos Papageorgiou in the lovely gardens.

The reception is held in honor of the National Anniversary of March 25, celebrated a few days late, along with a concert by the ERT National Symphony Orchestra, scheduled for the following day, April 8, featuring “Zorba” by Mikis Theodorakis, marking 100 years since his birth.

The Surprises

In Zamalek, an oasis and beautiful refuge in an area that makes you forget the chaos of Cairo and the day’s heat, the gardens fragrant with roses and night-blooming jasmine remind you of the experiences of Hellenism, so close and directly related to the fate of Cairo.

Here, in this house, the exiled government found refuge during the Occupation, a period vividly captured in his “Diaries” by George Seferis, alongside a remarkable photograph of him with traditional wooden mashrabiyas, revealing much about the shared, torturous past of Egypt and Greece.

We discuss the volatile situation in the Middle East with Mr. Papageorgiou, who has experience from the days of unrest in Istanbul during his tenure there. It is also the day when French President Emmanuel Macron arrives in Cairo to sign a series of agreements with President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who seems to relish his role as a mediator among various parties.

The Cairo of 22 million inhabitants, marked by extreme contrasts, poverty,