Aida ... Two stories and One Place

---

As if the Wheel of Time Turns Back…

As if the wheel of time suddenly spins backward, taking us 7,000 years into the past—to Thebes (now known as Luxor), the ancient capital of Kemet (Egypt), also called the City of the Sun.

In ancient times, the Egyptian king learned that the Ethiopian army commander was preparing his forces to invade Egypt—a great threat to Thebes.
To defend the kingdom, the king sent his general, Radames, south to confront the danger.

But when Radames arrived in Ethiopia, he fell deeply in love with Aida, unaware that she was the princess—the daughter of the Ethiopian king.
Torn between love and duty to his country, Radames chose love and planned to escape with Aida.
But the High Priest discovered his betrayal, and Radames was sentenced to death.

This is the story of Aida—the legendary opera inspired by an ancient manuscript discovered by French Egyptologist Auguste Mariette in the Nile Valley.
Although Verdi composed the music, the story was originally written by Mariette himself.
Isma'il Pasha, the Khedive of Egypt, commissioned Verdi to compose the opera for the opening of the Khedivial Opera House, paying him 150,000 francs.

History echoed again in 2019, in the same place where the story of Aida was born—Luxor, the city that witnessed love, war, loyalty, political conflict, and spiritual devotion.

The Aida Opera was performed on October 26 and 27, 2019, beside the magnificent Temple of Queen Hatshepsut.
I don’t know if this location was chosen intentionally—or if it was just fate.
But let me explain why I wonder...

Queen Hatshepsut faced a story strikingly similar to Radames.
She fell in love with Senenmut, a brilliant architect—yet a man from common origins.
But she chose her duty to Egypt over love. She became queen, marrying Thutmose II, and ruled the country with wisdom and strength.
The people loved her. She gave Egypt stability, prosperity, and beauty.

Senenmut, heartbroken, built her a stunning temple and even designed a tomb nearby—just to be close to her forever.

Can you feel how heartbreaking this love story is?

When I think about the location of the opera, I can't help but feel emotional.
So here's my message to my great-grandmother, Queen Hatshepsut:

"You were a great queen. You chose your country over your love. And today, thousands of years later, people sing a tragic love story beside the temple built by the man you once loved.
And while Aida is a fictional tale, your story was real.
Only the walls of your temple bear witness to both stories, Grandma.
May your soul be reunited with your beloved in the afterlife."

These moments were captured beautifully by Egyptian photographer Mustafa Karim.
Please do not use his photos without his permission.
And now, I leave you with his stunning images...

Loly 🌷