KUWAIT: The 31st Al-Qurain Cultural Festival kicked off on Monday, celebrating the country’s creativity, heritage, and literary achievements. Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi, Minister of Information and Culture and State Minister for Youth Affairs, represented His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah at the opening ceremony held at Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Center. He relayed His Highness the Prime Minister’s greetings and wished the festival success. “Al-Qurain has long been a platform for refined expression, a stage for art and knowledge, and an annual meeting point where thought meets creativity,” Al-Mutairi said. He described culture as “a cornerstone in building people, raising awareness and preserving civilizational values.”
This year’s festival coincided with the announcement of the winners of the State Appreciation and State Creativity Awards, under the patronage of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. Al-Mutairi said the awards “reflect the government’s support for culture and intellectual life, and its belief that enlightened thought and creative work are key to national progress.”
A musical performance titled “Sefar,” combined traditional and contemporary styles to tell stories from Al-Boom Dhow’s journeys across the seas.
Minister Al-Mutairi honors Actor Abdulrahman Al-Agel.
He also highlighted Kuwait’s recent designation as the Arab Capital of Culture and Media for 2025, calling it “a recognition of Kuwait’s long-standing cultural contributions and a commitment to human development and shaping the future.”
The festival paid tribute to Kuwaiti writer and thinker Dr Sulaiman Al-Askari for his decades-long contributions to literature and thought. Al-Mutairi said the recognition “shows Kuwait’s commitment to supporting creative talent and celebrating excellence in art and culture.” Other prominent Kuwaiti figures, including Actor Abdulrahman Al-Agel and Academic Dr Talal Al-Jassar.
After the tributes, the audience was treated to a musical performance titled “Sefar,” which tells the story of Al-Boom Dhow, which travelled the seas carrying Kuwaitis looking for a source of living. The performance combined traditional and contemporary styles, featuring music direction by Maestro Dr Khaled Noori, performance by Abdullah Al-Turkmani and direction by Bader Al-Blushi. Al-Mutairi concluded by thanking all contributors to the festival and expressing hope that Kuwait would continue to be “a beacon of culture, thought and creativity.” — KUNA
