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Kuwait eyes cultural revival as Capital of Arab Culture 2025

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3 weeks ago

July 6, 2025

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Balancing heritage and modernity, Kuwait aims to strengthen regional cultural role

KUWAIT: As Kuwait assumes the title of Capital of Arab Culture 2025, attention turns to its evolving cultural policy, which straddles the line between preserving national identity and expanding international cultural influence. Melissa Tedafi, a contemporary history specialist in Franco-Arabic cultural diplomacy and policies at Nantes Université, outlined Kuwait’s cultural ambitions during a roundtable at the University of Strasbourg’s Middle East and Muslim World Studies Congress. She highlighted how these ambitions are shaped by the country’s historical legacy, institutional challenges and modern aspirations within a competitive Gulf context.

“Cultural policies in Kuwait constitute an area of public intervention at the crossroads of national identity, social development, and international openness,” Tedafi explained. “They are part of a dynamic that is both conservative and modernizing.” This duality is a defining feature of Kuwait’s cultural landscape. On one hand, the state works to preserve its traditional roots and heritage; on the other, it seeks to become a regional hub for intellectual and artistic exchange.

A legacy of cultural pioneering

Tedafi noted that Kuwait’s cultural influence predates its independence in 1961. In the mid-20th century, it became a haven for Arab intellectuals fleeing authoritarian regimes, establishing itself early on as a center for artistic and intellectual life. “Even before independence, Kuwait positioned itself as a major intellectual and artistic center, welcoming Arab thinkers and writers fleeing nationalist or Islamist dictatorships,” she said.

This pioneering role was driven by two key forces: An educated Kuwaiti elite committed to modernist values and openness, and a desire to carve out a distinct national identity amidst regional giants such as Saudi Arabia and Iraq. Today, the government continues to reinforce this identity through institutions like the Department of Antiquities and Museums and the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL). Strategies include educational outreach, youth engagement and the training of tourist guides and cultural mediators.

Gulf War trauma and institutional fragmentation

Kuwait’s cultural momentum suffered a major setback during the 1990 Iraqi invasion, a trauma that still echoes in national memory. “The Iraqi soldiers looted and burned the national museum to erase all traces of national identity. Only part of the objects were recovered by the state,” Tedafi said. Beyond this historical trauma, structural challenges persist. While the NCCAL remains the main institution safeguarding Kuwait’s heritage, Tedafi noted that weak inter-institutional coordination hampers cohesive cultural development. “Cultural policies are often dependent on one-off initiatives, poorly articulated with global foreign policy. This fragmentation harms any coherent soft power strategy.”

Constraints of conservatism

Despite enjoying relatively greater press freedom than some Gulf states, cultural expression in Kuwait is constrained by conservative laws and social norms. “Kuwaiti culture is governed by restrictive legislation: Censorship of artistic works deemed ‘immoral’ or ‘blasphemous’, publication bans, legal sanctions against critical authors,” Tedafi said. “This control considerably limits cultural vitality, and consequently the country’s ability to project an image of openness and intellectual freedom.” These limitations present a challenge to Kuwait’s efforts to present itself as a tolerant and diverse cultural space — a key objective in light of the 2025 designation.

A strategic soft power shift

Despite these constraints, Kuwait views culture as a pillar of both national cohesion and international diplomacy. “The designation of Kuwait as Capital of Arab Culture 2025 represents a major opportunity to consolidate the country’s position as a leading cultural center in the Arab world,” Tedafi emphasized. “It allows the country to reveal its commitment to creativity, tolerance, and cultural diversity, while providing a platform to showcase achievements in the arts and strengthen intercultural dialogue internationally.” The year ahead offers Kuwait a unique chance to align its cultural ambitions with tangible execution — if it can overcome institutional fragmentation and ideological barriers.

A modest yet strategic regional model

Unlike Gulf neighbors such as Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, which pursue cultural dominance through lavish investments in projects like the Louvre Abu Dhabi and Education City, Kuwait follows a more restrained path. “Since the 2000s, Kuwait has been part of a regional trend where culture becomes a tool for soft power,” Tedafi observed. “However, unlike Qatar or the United Arab Emirates, which rely on massive investments, Kuwait adopts a more modest approach, but no less strategic.”

This strategy is built on three pillars: Promoting national heritage, particularly maritime history, Bedouin traditions, calligraphy and vernacular architecture; supporting local cultural industries such as theater and popular music, where Kuwait has historical strengths; and fostering international educational and cultural partnerships, including Arabizing scholarships, co-financing events in the West and active engagement with UNESCO.

The Capital of Arab Culture 2025 title presents a rare opening for Kuwait to redefine its cultural standing. To fully seize this moment, the country must pursue greater institutional coherence, loosen restrictive cultural laws and invest steadily in both domestic arts and international outreach. Standing at a critical crossroads, Kuwait must now choose whether to continue its path of strategic modesty — or lead with a bold, culturally vibrant model of soft power in the Arab world.

Related Topics:Arab Capital cultural culture eyes Kuwait revival

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KUNA Acting Director visits Huawei, urges digital tech for media advancement

Published

7 hours ago

July 27, 2025

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SHENZHEN, China: Acting Director General of Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), Mohammad Al-Mannai, visited Sunday the headquarters of Chinese tech giant Huawei in Shenzhen during his official trip to China.

The visit aligns with KUNA’s efforts to integrate digital solutions and adopt new technologies to enhance media content production.

During the visit, Al-Mannai met with Huawei’s Deputy CEO for the Northern Gulf Dai Xing, to explore cooperation in digital infrastructure, media tools, and training programs aimed at enhancing KUNA’s editorial and technical team capabilities.

(KUNA) Acting Director General, Acting Editor-in-Chief and Director of Marketing and Public Relations visit Huawei headquarters. — KUNA

Scene from (KUNA) delegation visit to Huawei headquarters.— KUNS

Al-Mannai emphasized the importance of collaborating with leading tech companies like Huawei to boost media capabilities through digital innovation, highlighting the urgent need to adopt advanced digital technologies that are transforming data analysis and audience engagement.

Al-Mannai and his delegation toured Huawei’s exhibitions, and Research, and Development (R&D) Center, where they were introduced to the latest innovations in automation and digital media solutions.

The visit was held on the sidelines of KUNA’s participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Media and Think Tank Forum, held in Zhengzhou, China. The delegation includes Acting Editor-in-Chief Mohammad Al-Bahar and Director of Marketing and Public Relations Lamia Al-Farsi.— KUNA

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192 arrested in security sweep; weapons seized

Published

9 hours ago

July 27, 2025

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KUWAIT: The Ministry of Interior announced the arrest of 192 violators and wanted individuals during a wide-ranging security campaign launched by the General Department of Residency Investigations. The campaign targeted several densely populated areas, including Jahra, Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh, Mahboula, Qurain Markets, Ahmadi and Fahaheel.

In a statement issued Friday, the ministry said the campaign comes within the framework of an ongoing nationwide crackdown across all governorates, carried out under the directives of First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah. The operations are being implemented under the direct supervision of Acting Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior Major General Ali Al-Adwani. The ministry affirmed its continued efforts to uphold the law and ensure public safety, noting that violations of residency and labor regulations will be dealt with firmly. It stressed that accountability will apply to both the violator and the employer and warned that no leniency will be shown to those found breaking the law.

Meanwhile, in a separate operation, the General Directorate of Weapons Investigation—represented by the Search and Investigation Department—arrested two individuals working for a local airline on charges related to the possession of unlicensed ammunition and alcoholic beverages. According to the ministry, the first suspect, a Pakistani national employed as a doctor, was detained at Kuwait International Airport after 64 rounds of ammunition were discovered in his luggage. During questioning, the suspect confessed to owning the ammunition and claimed he had received it from a colleague.

Following this admission, a second suspect, a Kuwaiti citizen working as a pilot, was arrested at the airport. Upon interrogation, the suspect confirmed the doctor’s statements. A search warrant was subsequently issued by the Public Prosecution to inspect his residence and vehicle, leading to the discovery of 500 additional rounds of unlicensed ammunition.

Further searches at a secondary residence in Shab Al-Bahri uncovered 87 bottles of alcoholic beverages along with equipment and materials used in alcohol production. The suspect confessed to possessing the unlicensed ammunition and to manufacturing alcohol using tools purchased online. The two suspects were referred to the competent authorities for further legal action. The Ministry of Interior reiterated its firm stance against all forms of illegal activity and affirmed that it will continue its operations to safeguard public security. — Agencies

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KOC and KU to enhance joint research

Published

18 hours ago

July 27, 2025

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KUWAIT: A delegation from Kuwait University visited Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) in Al-Ahmadi on July 23, 2025 to discuss ways to enhance joint research cooperation between the two institutions. This visit comes as a follow-up to the existing coordination on the main research agreement signed between the two parties in July 2019, relating to cooperation in the fields of reservoirs and heavy oil, which aims to achieve strategic research and development objectives.

The agreement focuses on strengthening research cooperation between Kuwait University and Kuwait Oil Company through technology and knowledge transfer, improving oil production and refining processes, developing industrial and technological processes through scientific research, and attracting as many members of the university’s academic staff as possible.

At the beginning of the visit, the Kuwait University delegation, represented by Assistant Vice President for External Research Cooperation and Consultancy Dr Mubkhout Mohammed Al-Dosari and Assistant Vice President for Research Funding and Implementation Dr Abdul Latif Abdullah Al-Rashdan, met with Kuwait Oil Company Vice President for Gas and Innovation Amina Rajab. Rajab praised Kuwait University’s efforts in promoting fruitful research cooperation with Kuwait Oil Company and stressed the importance of intensifying research related to the challenges facing the natural gas sector.

During the meeting, Dr Mubkhout Al-Dosari affirmed that Kuwait University is working, under the signed agreement, to support the company’s decision-making process, contributing to the development of effective strategies that support research interests and achieve scientific progress through external partnerships, to direct research towards creativity and innovation.

The delegation also met Bader Mohammed Al-Ajmi, Director of Innovation and Technology, who welcomed the attendees and emphasized the importance of cooperation between the two sides in serving research, development, and comprehensive development for the benefit of the State of Kuwait. During the meeting, Dr Abdul Latif Al-Rashdan addressed the most prominent administrative, technical, and financial issues facing researchers in projects fully funded by Kuwait Oil Company, which were discussed and possible solutions were developed to deepen cooperation between Kuwait University and Kuwait Oil Company.