KUWAIT: A powerful celebration of Palestinian heritage took center stage Thursday night as the 17th edition of Kuwait’s Summer Cultural Festival (Sayfi Thaqafi) paid tribute to Palestinian identity through an emotionally charged musical performance by the Oshaq Al-Aqsa troupe at Dasma Theater. Led by director Samer Alwani, the group took the audience on a heartfelt journey of nostalgia, loss, and hope, performing a collection of national and folkloric songs that echoed the deep connection between land, people, and the enduring Palestinian cause.
The performance blended themes of exile and longing with dreams of return. “Oshaq Al-Aqsa is more than just a musical troupe, ” wrote Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), it is a cultural movement that tells the stories of refugees and the collective memory of a people through every note and lyric.
Founded in 2000 in Palestinian refugee camps, the group began as a spontaneous artistic expression before evolving into a professional ensemble performing on stages across Lebanon and the Arab world. Since 2010, the troupe has grown into a formal institution with a young administrative team and academic talent, expanding its reach to countries including Tunisia, Algeria, and Iraq through both official and grassroots invitations.
This concert is part of a broader effort by Kuwait’s National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters to spotlight meaningful causes — particularly the Palestinian struggle — and to support artistic voices with a mission. The Summer Cultural Festival is considered a highlight of Kuwait’s cultural calendar and plays a key role in its designation as Capital of Arab Culture and Media for 2025. Kuwait consistently affirms its unwavering support for the Palestinian cause, exemplified in the country’s long-standing historical and humanitarian commitment. That support includes ongoing efforts to amplify Palestinian voices and share their stories with the world through cultural platforms. — KUNA
