'Here is Cairo,' the 1st words ever spoken through the Egyptian radio

CAIRO – 31 May 2022: “Here is Cairo”. Those are the first words that were said on the Egyptian radio upon its inauguration on May 31, 1934. This day has been celebrated ever since as the Egyptian Radio Day.

The Egyptian radio was inaugurated at exactly 5:30 pm on May 31, 1934 with verses from the Holy Qur’an recited in the voice of Sheikh Mohammad Refaat, followed by the voice of Umm Kulthum, who was paid LE 25 for her participation in the opening. Umm Kulthum was followed by the singers Saleh Abdel-Hay, and Mohamed Abdel Wahab, respectively. 

The radio’s first programs included the participation of Hussein Shawky, who recited a poem by Ahmed Shawky. The poet Ali Al-Jarem recited a poem greeting Fouad I, King of Egypt and Sudan. This is in addition to the participations of the monologist Mohamed Abdel Quddus, and the two musicians Medhat Assem and Sami Al-Shawa.

Ahmed Salem was the announcer, along with Mohamed Fathy, who was known as "The Radio Curlew".

First said by Ahmed Salem in 1934, "Here is Cairo" was adopted as an official phrase in all Egyptian radio stations that were launched in the following years. Ahmed Salem was the first announcer on the Egyptian radio and was one of the first Egyptian broadcasters. He is one of seven who took charge of the fledgling radio station and laid the foundations for its work.

Although Salem studied aeronautical engineering in England, he only worked in it for a short period. His distinguished voice and his knowledge allowed him to head the Arabic section of the Egyptian radio. Unfortunately, the old recording tools at that time did not allow the preservation of the heritage of Ahmed Salem.

Salem submitted his resignation after Talaat Harb offered him to devote himself to establishing the Egypt Acting Company. He then founded Studio Misr and presented his first production, the movie "Wedad" starring Umm Kulthum.

Egypt knew radio broadcasting in the mid-twenties of the last century. Civil radio stations continued radio-broadcasting until it stopped on May 29, 1934 to leave its place for the government station, which started broadcasting on May 31, 1934. This day later became a holiday for the Egyptian radio.