By Manal Abdel Fattah
Ambassador Oka, the Japanese Ambassador to Egypt, crowned Dr. Reda El-Wakil, the famous Egyptian opera singer, with the Japanese Ambassador’s Certificate of Appreciation.
Dr. Reda El-Wakil graduated from the Higher Institute of Music – Conservatory in Cairo, and after completing his studies abroad in Spain and France, he performed roles in major and famous operas such as “Madame Butterfly,” “The Marriage of Figaro,” “Aida,” and others, focusing on Cairo. Starting in the late eighties.
Starting in 1994, until early 2010, he participated in many opera productions abroad in France, Italy, the United Kingdom, Poland, Germany, and others.
In addition to winning the Paris International Competition, he also received the State Encouragement Award for Literature and Arts.
Regarding interconnections with Japan, Dr. Reda Al-Wakil has participated several times in commemoration concerts and events to encourage recovery and reconstruction since the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami in 2011.
He also had great cooperation over many times in implementing and completing many artistic performances by Japanese artists during his presidency of the Artistic House of Music, Opera and Ballet at the Cairo Opera House, and in charge of the Small Theater during the period from 2009 to 2017.
The Embassy of Japan in Egypt expressed its sincere appreciation and gratitude towards the outstanding contributions made by Dr. Reda Al-Wakil in enhancing mutual understanding and relations of friendship and brotherhood between Japan and Egypt, and will continue to make every effort to further strengthen relations between the two countries in the future as well.
