BEIRUT: Kuwaiti artists presented a collection of artworks promoting peace during their participation in the International Visual Arts Festival in Lebanon, “Salam,” which gathers leading Arab artists. Dr Ali Al-Samad, Director General of Lebanon’s Ministry of Culture, told the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) on the sidelines of the festival’s opening that the event “is unique in terms of the venue, which is the historic Jounieh Municipality building in northern Beirut, dating back around 200 years.”
He added that the festival is “also distinguished by its title (Peace), which every Arab artist expresses in their own language,” expressing hope that peace would prevail across all Arab countries. He described the participation of Arab artists as “a message and invitation for Arab brothers to visit Lebanon for its culture, art, and beauty.”
The festival’s organizer, Lebanese artist Raja Nicholas, told KUNA that the event aims to promote a culture of peace by bringing together a large number of Arab artists and “highlighting the concept of peace and the importance of interacting with people peacefully” through their artworks.
Nicholas described painting as “a silent language that expresses peace,” emphasizing that “artists are the best to convey, with sophistication, the significance of peace in our lives.” She noted that each Arab artist represents their country’s culture of peace through their work, creating a unified message conveyed through diverse artistic languages and aesthetics.
Kuwaiti ceramic artist Ali Al-Awad told KUNA that he was participating with two pottery works representing “pain and hope in peace.” He explained that the clay used in his pieces reflects humanity’s connection to peace, as “a material of existence that brings people together in love and friendship,” adding that his work features two openings representing the lungs through which his thermal creation breathes.
Lawyer and hobbyist artist Kifah Al-Mulla said she was contributing a painting that “represents Lebanon through the eyes of Kuwait” and highlights the affectionate feelings Kuwaitis hold for Lebanon and its natural beauty. Kuwaiti art teacher Mariam Al-Bishr told KUNA that she participates in exhibitions both in Kuwait and abroad, and that her “Salam” festival artwork reflects Kuwaiti heritage, featuring traditional tools such as incense burners, coffee pots, water containers, and inkwells. Kuwaiti painter Latifa Al-Mansour said her work “serves peace, and peace gives rise to it,” noting that “every artist must create based on principle.” — KUNA
