By Hanadi Watfa
MADRID, July 30 (KUNA) -- Activities of the Spanish-Kuwaiti festival kicked off Friday night in Spain's southern city of Marbella.
The three-day festival opened its doors under the slogan (Kuwaiti-Spanish Festival in Marbella). The event is held in collaboration with the Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry represented by the Embassy in Madrid with the participation of Kuwait's National Council for Culture, Arts, and Letters (NCCAL), the municipality of Marbella, and the Spanish Ministry of Tourism.
Kuwait's Ambassador to Spain Dr. Suleiman Al-Harbi told KUNA that the embassy's participation aimed at highlighting Kuwaiti culture and heritage.
The Ambassador stressed that the embassy in Madrid was keen on the success of any gathering which highlighted the traditions and heritage of the State of Kuwait.
He pointed out that the diplomatic mission did not hesitate to offer all sorts of support to any activity aimed at boosting tourism between Kuwait and Spain.
Al-Harbi said the festival promoted his country as a unique global tourist destination in the Gulf region, affirming that this was in line with Kuwait's development plan which focused on diversifying the nation's economic resources and national income.
On her part, the Director General of Kuwait's Future Communications Company Global (FCCG), Abrar Al-Masoud described the festival as "Kuwait's gift to Spain," saying it is an opportunity "to familiarize Spaniards with Kuwaiti culture." Furthermore, she noted that the festival would feature a slew of exhibitions and activities that will go on well into midnight, particularly, the ones where visitors would get to relish on Kuwaiti and Spanish delicacies.
She also revealed that an even bigger Gulf gala was in the works for next year. The FCCG is one of sponsors of the festival.
Meanwhile, Marbella's tourism official Miguel Luna called on residents of the city to come out for the festival, saying it was a chance for them to get acquainted with Kuwaiti culture.
The first of its kind festival, set to take place in Antonio Banderas Plaza in Puerto Banus, Marbella, opened its doors at 07:00 p.m. local-time Friday. (end).
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