Opening of the Arab Music Festival... Hani Shaker's wife cries, and the opera commemorates him with a statue

Listen to the article. The audio text is automated, generated by an automated system

The opening of the 34th session of the Arab Music Festival and Conference in Egypt, yesterday evening, Tuesday, witnessed touching moments during the honoring of the late artist Hani Shaker, after his wife, Nahla Tawfiq, was overcome with tears while speaking about her husband, in a ceremony whose current session was dedicated to the soul of the Prince of Arab Singing, in appreciation of his artistic career and contributions to Egyptian and Arab song.

For his part, Dr. Abdel Aziz Qanswa, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Acting Minister of Culture, announced the erection of a statue of the late artist Hani Shaker inside the courtyard of the Cairo Opera House, in commemoration of his memory and in appreciation of his artistic creativity, which left a prominent mark in the history of Arab singing.

The announcement came during the opening ceremony of the festival on the Grand Theater of the Cairo Opera House, in the presence of the late artist’s family, as his wife, Nahla Tawfiq, received a shield honoring him, with the participation of Dr. Reda El-Wakil, President of the Cairo Opera House, and Maestro Mohamed El-Mogy, Festival Director.

Nahla Tawfiq was moved during her speech at the ceremony, as she spoke about her late husband, stressing that his memory is still present among his fans. She said, crying: “Hani Shaker is with us. The body leaves but the trace remains.”

She added that her husband hoped that people would remember him well after his passing, and she sent him an emotional message, saying: “And I am reassured by saying that all people think of you well.”

She also thanked President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, in appreciation of his obituary for the late artist at the time of his death, and to those in charge of the festival and the Egyptian Opera House, for dedicating the current session to his name and honoring his artistic career.

The opening ceremony included the showing of a documentary film about the late artist, reviewing stations from his artistic career and his most prominent singing works and meetings, in addition to presenting a group of his most famous songs in the voices of a number of opera singers, accompanied by the musical band led by Maestro Ahmed Atef.

The artist Mohamed Shaheen participated in the ceremony with the song “I wish you were with me”, while the artist Anushka performed the song “I am my heart for you”, and the artist Nadia Mostafa concluded the evening with the songs “Mushthariki” and “This is it too, Qamar”.

The ceremony also witnessed the presentation of a new song entitled “There Are People Who Are Absent”, with the voice of artist Nevin Rajab, dedicated to the soul of Hani Shaker, from the words of Abdullah Hassan and composed by Sherif Hamdan.

Hani Shaker, nicknamed the Prince of Arab Singing, is considered one of the most prominent stars of Egyptian song. Over the course of his decades-long artistic career, he presented a large group of songs that achieved wide spread in Egypt and the Arab world.

The late artist left a distinctive mark in romantic and musical songs, through works that were connected to the conscience of his fans, while his honor comes at the Arab Music Festival and the announcement of the erection of a statue of him at the Egyptian Opera House in appreciation of his career and artistic contributions.

The activities of the 34th session of the Arab Music Festival and Conference will continue until October 30, with the participation of an elite group of Egyptian and Arab singers and musicians, in addition to the accompanying artistic and cultural events.