KUWAIT: Belgian Ambassador to Kuwait Christian Dooms revealed that an economic mission, involving over 40 Belgian companies, will visit Kuwait in late April, signaling growing bilateral trade opportunities. During a media meeting on Francophonie on Monday, the ambassador shed light on the rich diversity and cultural significance of the Francophonie, stating that a series of events will mark Le Mois de la Francophonie in Kuwait this April.

He added “The Francophonie is more than just a linguistic community. It is a global network of over 320 million French-speaking people across five continents,” emphasizing the enduring role of French in Belgian society, education, and culture, particularly its prominence in schools and its role in cinema, literature, and comics. The ambassador continued “French is a cultural language, a language of refinement, fashion, and the arts. It plays an essential role in scientific publications and is the fifth most used language online.”

Meanwhile, the Ambassador praised the country’s growing interest in the French language, saying “I was surprised to learn that around 500,000 people in Kuwait study French, including 200,000 Kuwaitis. That shows a real appetite for the language. Reflecting on the local traditions, he noted “I greatly enjoy Kuwait’s diwaniyas, especially during Ramadan. That inspired us and other Francophone embassies to launch the French-speaking Diwaniya, a space for dialogue and cultural exchange, blending the traditions of both our societies.”

Belgian Ambassador to Kuwait Christian Dooms

The ambassador stressed that while Kuwait is not yet a full member, expressing hope that Kuwait would eventually join the organization as a full member in the coming years, boosting its global standing. Regarding the situation in Gaza, the ambassador highlighted Belgium’s longstanding humanitarian efforts in Palestine and acknowledged the sensitivity of the issue, saying that the organization, known for its cultural and linguistic focus, does not take political positions as firmly as other organizations like the European Union, which itself struggles with a unified approach to the conflict.

Regarding Belgium’s diplomatic presence in Kuwait, the ambassador revealed that last year marked the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, stating that Belgium puts efforts to strengthen its ties with Kuwait also in the tourism field, with the ambassador working on securing a direct flight from Kuwait to Brussels to enhance connectivity and promote Belgium’s cultural and tourism offerings. The Belgian ambassador indicated that the Francophonie celebrations in Kuwait will begin on Sunday, April 13, with a piano concert by renowned Belgian musician Olivier de Spiegelaere at the Yarmouk Cultural Center. “He has performed in over 25 countries and given more than 600 concerts,” the ambassador highlighted.

The program will include pieces by Beethoven, Debussy, César Franck, and Belgian composer Jacques Leduc. Later in the month, on April 23, the Belgian Embassy will host a Poetry Evening at the ambassador’s residence. “We will invite representatives from French-speaking embassies to read French poetry. But more importantly, I would love to hear Kuwaiti poets recite in Arabic, with translations available in French or English. Arabic is a beautiful, poetic language,” he explained.

In place of the annual drawing contest, the embassy is also planning a cultural bazaar and French film screenings in collaboration with the French Institute. He said “Francophonie is not just about language, it’s about shared values, cultural dialogue, and human connection. This month is a celebration of that spirit.” He also plans to host a “Taste of Belgium” event in May to introduce Kuwaiti visitors to Belgian cuisine, which he described as much more than just chocolate, emphasizing Belgium’s ongoing collaboration with French-speaking partners and noting the shared commitment to values such as democracy, human rights and women’s empowerment.