Abu Dhabi: A delegation of Egyptians has arrived to the UAE for the second year in a row to celebrate the 43rd UAE National Day and mark strong friendly ties with the country, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development announced on Sunday.

Dr Habib Guloom Attar, director of cultural activities and community at the ministry, held a press conference along with around eight actors, actresses and singers from Egypt, who came together to celebrate the decades of success witnessed in the UAE, by performing an operetta called Khalifa in Our Hearts, and a song Taheyati which means ‘thank you’.

“Egypt has a very strong, dynamic and continuous history in all respects, especially in art and music which continue up until the present day. Since the establishment of the UAE, Egypt and the UAE relations were always at a good level and developing at an unprecedented rate. Our strong UAE-Egypt ties are a role model for many other countries,” Dr Attar said.

The event, which was held at the headquarters of the Ministry of Culture in the capital, welcomed several officials from the ministry as well as foreign and Arab media in the country.

The Egyptian delegation, who were presented at the conference, consisted of actors, actresses, composers, and singers such as Mohammad Hamaki, Kareem Abdul Aziz, Amr Mustafa, Hani Ramzi, Tamer Hussain, Ahmad Jamal, Eman Al Assi, and Heba Al Abasiry.

“I am honoured to participate in this year’s celebration. I have worked on a song called Taheyati, which I will perform at Abu Dhabi National Theatre today (Monday). This song is a special dedication from Egypt to UAE leadership and citizens,” Mohammad Hamaki, a well-known Egyptian singer, said during the press conference.

“I am not surprised by acts of kindness shown by the UAE and its people. It is the fabric of the Emirati culture and I am glad to be at my second home,” Hamaki added.

Khalifa in Our Hearts will be performed at the Abu Dhabi National Theatre today (Monday) at 7pm and at the Dubai Culture and Science Theatre on December 4.

“Egypt will never forget the support extended by the late Shaikh Zayed and his honourable stands and attitudes in addition to great efforts provided to Egypt during its crisis and hard times,” Heba Al Abasiry, an Egyptian anchor, told Gulf News.

The operetta’s duration is about four minutes and it has a singing part as well as some poems narrated for the UAE and its people, Amr Mustafa, Egyptian singer and composer, told Gulf News.

Four singers will perform the song: Ramy Sabry, Ahmad Jamal, Amr Mustafa, and Medhat Saleh.

When asked if the song will be broadcast, Dr Attar answered: “There is a possibility to broadcast both songs on Abu Dhabi television.”