KUWAIT, Jan 24 (KUNA) -- The 31st Al-Qurain Cultural Festival will begin next Monday under the theme "A Renewed Heritage and Inexhaustible Creativity," under the patronage of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.
In a press statement, Assistant Secretary-General for the Cultural Sector at the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters Aisha Al-Mahmoud said the festival, running until February 11, will feature diverse events highlighting local, Arab, and international culture.
She explained that since its launch in 1994, the festival has become a source of inspiration and pride, and a beacon of Kuwaiti cultural excellence, showcasing diverse activities such as poetry, storytelling, visual arts, performances, and intellectual seminars and lectures.
She emphasized Kuwait's commitment to promoting culture and preserving the heritage, while engaging with modernity in a way that enhances culture's role in development and public awareness.
Al-Mahmoud pointed out that this edition coincides with the conclusion of the "Kuwait, Capital of Arab Culture and Media 2025" celebrations.
She said the festival will open with a ceremony featuring the State Appreciation Awards and the State Award for Creativity, honoring Professor Dr. Sulaiman Al-Askari, along with a musical performance titled "Saffar" by Maestro Khaled Nouri at Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Center.
She also highlighted a range of art and cultural exhibitions during the festival to be held at the Graduates Association in Bneid Al-Qar, the Kuwait National Museum, Museum of Modern Art, Bait Al-Sadu.
She added that the festival features the National Mural Art Project, alongside a cultural evening and a screening of the film "Bas Ya Bahar" by director Khaled Al-Siddiq at the National Council's General Secretariat.
Al-Mahmoud outlined a lineup of artistic events, including a concert by Kankouni Folk Band at The Avenues Mall, a jazz evening at Yarmouk Cultural Center, and two concerts at Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Center.
She added that the program also features a concert by the Hamad Bin Hussein Folk Band at Assima Mall, a Kuwaiti heritage night at the JW Marriott Hotel, and a poetry recital at the same venue with winners of the Suad Al-Sabah Literary Creativity Awards, in cooperation with the Suad Al-Sabah House for Culture and Creativity.
She noted that an evening celebrating the poetic journey of Prince Bader bin Abdulmohsen will be held in collaboration with the Suad Al-Sabah House for Culture and Creativity.
She added that the festival also hosts the World Crafts Forum in partnership with the World Crafts Council, running until February 3, with a crafts exhibition and training workshops at the Kuwait National Library.
Al-Mahmoud said the festival's main seminar, "From Heritage to Creativity: Kuwait and the Journey of Arab Culture," will run for three days with morning and evening sessions, featuring exhibitions, lectures, and panels with thinkers and intellectuals.
Highlights include a lecture on AI and creativity, a Turkish ceramicist's talk on contemporary murals, a photography exhibition with the Kuwaiti Photographic Arts Society, and a panel on establishing the Arabic Language Academy.
She added that poetry and storytelling will be featured through the "Spaces: Poems and Stories" event, with dialogue sessions including participants from Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, UAE, and Oman. (end) shd.ao