Khalil Khalil Dances at the Historic Gezirah Palace: A Mesmerizing Performance
Khalil Khalil recently graced the stage of the historic Gezirah Palace, a venue with deep-rooted cultural significance. Located within the Cairo Marriott Hotel in the Zamalek district of Gezira Island, Egypt, the Gezirah Palace has been a symbol of opulence and history since its transformation into a luxury hotel in 1894. Originally commissioned by Khedive Ismail Pasha in 1869, the palace was designed by Carl von Diebitsch to host the French Emperor Napoleon III and Empress Eugénie during the grand opening celebrations of the Suez Canal. Khedive Ismail requested that the architecture resemble the Palace of Versailles.
In 1880, the palace was seized by Ismail’s creditors and later leased to the Compagnie Internationale des Grands Hotels, which opened it as The Ghezireh Palace Hotel in October 1894. During World War I, the hotel was repurposed as the No. 2 Australian General Hospital to handle the casualties from the Battle of Gallipoli. In 1919, the palace was sold to Syrian businessman Habib Lotfallah and reverted to a private residence. It was nationalized by Gamal Abdel Nasser in 1952, converted back to a hotel, and reopened in 1962 as the Omar Khayyam Hotel. The 1970s saw the addition of two large towers, and the hotel underwent a complete rebuild. President Hosni Mubarak presided over the grand reopening in 1982 as the Cairo Marriott Hotel.
Khalil Khalil’s performance at this majestic venue was a remarkable display of artistry and elegance, resonating with the palace’s storied past. The event celebrated not only the rich heritage of the Gezirah Palace but also Khalil’s exceptional talent, bringing a touch of modern vibrancy to this historic location.
KHALIL KHALIL 