(L-r) Ambassador Saad, Russian Ambassador Georgy Borisenko, Chairman of the ERFA Ibrahim Kamel, Director of the EAGRSU S
The Russian Embassy in Cairo commemorated the 80th anniversary of Victory Day—marking the Soviet Union's victory in the Great Patriotic War (World War II)—with a celebration at the Russian Cultural Centre's theatre in Dokki.
Russian Ambassador Georgy Borisenko attended the event, along with ambassadors from Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Mongolia, and Serbia.
Among the distinguished Egyptian guests were Dr. Ibrahim Kamel, Chairman of the Egyptian-Russian Friendship Association (ERFA); Ambassador Ezzat Saad, former Egyptian Ambassador to Moscow and Director of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Cooperation; former Qalyubia Governor Adel Hussein; Arseniy Matyushenko, Acting Director of the Russian Cultural Centres in Egypt; Sherif Gad, Director of Cultural Activities at the Russian House and President of the Egyptian Association of Graduates of Russian and Soviet Universities (EAGRSU); Professor Ashraf Attia, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Al-Alsun at Ain Shams University; Professor Dina Mohamed, Head of the Russian Language Department at Ain Shams University; and Professor Mohamed Nasr El-Gabali, former Dean of the Faculty of Al-Alsun at Luxor University and expert in Russian literature.
In his address, Ambassador Borisenko commemorated the Soviet Union's decisive role in the defeat of Nazi Germany, reminding attendees that 27 million Soviet citizens lost their lives during the war. He emphasised that Russian soldiers today, in their ongoing operation against what he described as the "bloodthirsty Kyiv regime," are continuing the legacy of their forebears by fighting the resurgence of Nazism in Europe.
The ambassador also expressed gratitude to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi for his participation in Victory Day celebrations in Moscow, noting the presence of Egyptian military personnel in the Red Square parade.
Performances by artists from the Russian School and the Russian House on war songs and patriotic anthems
The celebration featured musical performances by artists from the Russian School and the Russian House, including war songs and patriotic anthems. A theatrical performance depicted the hardships endured by Soviet children during World War II.
A photo exhibition titled "Immortality to You" was also held. It displayed portraits of World War II veterans from the families of Russian embassy staff and Russian House employees in Cairo, including Ambassador Borisenko's grandfather. The exhibition served as a tribute to the generation that helped save humanity from fascism and Nazism.
"The event not only commemorated this historical milestone but also served as a platform to strengthen cultural ties between Russia and Egypt," said Ambassador Borisenko.
As part of the broader Victory Day celebrations, the Russian and Belarusian embassies in Cairo, in collaboration with the Cultural Development Fund, organised a screening of Come and See, the 1985 war drama by Elem Klimov, at the El-Hanager Cinema in the Cairo Opera House complex.
At the screening, Ambassador Borisenko underscored the importance of commemorating Victory Day with Egyptian partners and thanked the Egyptian Ministry of Culture for hosting the event. He reiterated the shared legacy of Egypt and Russia standing together against fascism during World War II.
Photo exhibition displaying images of veterans from the families of Russian embassy staff and Russian House workers in Cairo
Belarusian Ambassador Sergei Terentiev explained the significance of the chosen film, which offers a stark portrayal of the atrocities committed during the Nazi occupation of Belarus, where one in every three citizens perished. Despite its harrowing content, Terentiev emphasised the film's power in preserving the memory of past suffering and inspiring a global commitment to peace.
A concurrent exhibition of World War II-era posters accompanied the screening.
In a separate tribute, Russian embassy staff and their families organised a half-marathon at the Open-Air Mall in Madinaty. Participants wore t-shirts bearing Victory Day symbols and carried Russian and wartime flags. The race honoured those who sacrificed their lives in the fight against fascism.
Adults and children sang wartime songs at the finish line, creating an emotional and patriotic atmosphere. Numerous Russian residents in Egypt participated in the event, which received warm responses from the Egyptian public, who extended their congratulations on Victory Day.
Russian embassy staff and their families in Cairo participating in the marathon
President El-Sisi's presence at the Moscow celebration on the same day added symbolic weight to the occasion, reinforcing the strong diplomatic and cultural ties between Egypt and Russia.
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