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Kuwait celebrates vibrant cultural journey as Arab Capital of Culture and Media 2025

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Recognition reflects Kuwait’s enduring role as a hub of knowledge, culture, innovation

KUWAIT: Over the past nine months, Kuwait has hosted a series of cultural and media events marking its selection as the Arab Capital of Culture and Media 2025, a title that crowns decades of creativity, cultural leadership, and contribution to Arab thought and media. The recognition reflects Kuwait’s enduring role as a hub of knowledge, culture, and innovation in the region. Chosen by the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) and the Council of Arab Information Ministers, Kuwait’s designation underscores its pioneering role and steadfast support for culture and media in all forms.

Since independence, Kuwait has embraced a comprehensive cultural vision, making culture a cornerstone of national development and media a bridge for cultural dialogue. Representative of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Minister of Information and Culture and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi inaugurated the celebrations on February 13 in the presence of several Arab ministers, cultural figures, and media leaders. In his speech, Al-Mutairi affirmed Kuwait’s ongoing commitment to fostering thought, creativity, and cultural identity, noting that Kuwait’s initiatives have long shaped the intellectual awareness of Arab generations.

The celebrations began earlier with the 30th Al-Qurain Cultural Festival (February 3–12), a landmark event that has showcased three decades of artistic and literary excellence. The festival’s opening ceremony, which honored Saudi intellectual Dr Abdullah Al-Ghadami, featured a rich program of music, literature, and arts, including a musical performance titled From Kuwait blending traditional and modern Arab art forms.

On February 15, the Public Authority for Youth, in cooperation with Kuwait University, launched the Pulse of Culture project, which continued until April. The initiative included 38 cultural activities—ranging from workshops and training courses to competitions—aimed at enriching students’ cultural experience and enhancing their creative skills. In April, a symposium titled Culture in Kuwait Before Oil brought together academics and historians to explore the country’s deep-rooted cultural heritage. Kuwait’s participation in the 19th Venice Architecture Biennale on May 10 further highlighted its creative vision, with a pavilion curated by young Kuwaiti talents emphasizing national identity and innovation in contemporary architecture.

As part of ongoing cultural reforms, NCCAL Secretary-General Dr Mohammed Al-Jassar announced on May 16 the approval to rename the State Encouragement Award as the State Creativity Award in Arts, Literature, and Humanities, reflecting a broader recognition of creative excellence across generations. In July, Minister Al-Mutairi issued a decision to reorganize the mechanism of theatrical and artistic performances in Kuwait, ensuring the continued growth of cultural expression.

Later that month, the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL) honored media personality Amal Abdullah and literary critic Saleh Al-Gharib with the Gulf Creatives Award for their contributions to Arab culture and media. Kuwait also participated in the 39th Jerash Festival for Culture and Arts in Jordan, showcasing local literary works and traditional handicrafts, including dhow-making and bisht weaving.

Kuwait’s cultural prominence continued to gain recognition regionally when, on July 30, the Arab Observatory of Architectural and Urban Heritage announced the inclusion of the iconic Kuwait Towers in the Arab Heritage List under the category of modern architecture. This was followed by ALECSO’s confirmation on August 1 of the Towers’ inclusion in the Arab Register of Modern Architectural and Urban Heritage.

Concluding the summer’s activities, the eighth Summer Book Fair opened on August 24 at the Alumni Association headquarters, featuring a wide range of cultural institutions and publishing houses. From literature and arts to architecture and heritage, Kuwait’s journey as the Arab Capital of Culture and Media 2025 stands as a testament to its unwavering commitment to creativity, knowledge, and cultural exchange—solidifying its position as a beacon of Arab intellect and innovation. — KUNA

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Today in Kuwait’s history | Kuwait Times Newspaper

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KUWAIT: 1956 — Moudhi Al-Sarhan became the first Kuwaiti female to join the Ministry of Interior’s correctional institute.

1981 — Kuwait’s Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah signed a decree to establish the Faculty of Sharia and Islamic Studies at Kuwait University, as well as changing the name of the Faculty of Law and Sharia to the Faculty of Law.

1990 — Kuwait’s Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah patronized a popular conference in the Saudi city of Jeddah. Participants in the three-day national event reiterated their commitment to the legitimate Kuwaiti leadership in the face of Iraqi aggression against the State of Kuwait.

1990 — Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), which was occupied and looted by Iraqi invaders of the State of Kuwait, began broadcasting from an interim headquarters in London, UK, to provide subscribers with news about occupied Kuwait.

1999 — Kuwait won the Gulf Junior Squash Championship, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

2010 — Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) signed a KD 11 million loan agreement with Mauritania to finance construction of a Nouakchott University campus.

2017 — The KFAED signed a KD 12 million loan agreement with Senegal to reconstruct a major highway.

2018 — Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Cultural Center won the Best Services Architecture Building award in the Middle East and North Africa. — KUNA

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Nod to conditional foreign ownership of property in Kuwait

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KUWAIT: An Amiri decree published in the official gazette Kuwait Al-Youm on Sunday has allowed listed companies in which non-Kuwaitis have shares to own property in the country, excluding private residences. Under a Kuwaiti law issued in 1979, such companies were barred from owning property in the country and only Arab individuals can own a house or land through an Amiri decree.

Foreigners who inherit property from their Kuwaiti mothers must sell it within one year, according to the old legislation. Foreign embassies can own a maximum of 4,000 square meters to build their own premises based on mutual treatment. Most Gulf countries currently allow foreigners to own houses directly and some states even offer long-term residence permits to big buyers.

The new decree, however, made an amendment to the 1979 law, allowing listed shareholding companies, real estate funds and investment portfolios with non-Kuwaiti ownership to buy real estate. Such companies must be listed on bourses in Kuwait and one of their purposes is trading in property, the new decree states. Such companies are, however, not allowed to purchase land used for private housing. Nationals of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states are treated like Kuwaitis in owning property in Kuwait, the decree states.

Meanwhile, Kuwait Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha) announced on Sunday that it has referred a senior government bureaucrat and an unspecified number of other persons to the public prosecution on suspicion of graft and filing incorrect financial statements about their wealth. Nazaha has recently referred dozens of leading government bureaucrats to the public prosecution over suspected violations regarding mandatory financial statements about their private wealth.

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Graduation ceremony marks the completion of ‘Tamooh’ program

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KUWAIT: Under the patronage and attendance of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, a graduation ceremony was held on Monday for the 10th and 11th batches of the “Tamooh” (Ambition) program for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ new recruits for the academic year 2024-2025 at the Saud Al-Nasser Al-Sabah Diplomatic Institute.

The ceremony was attended by Head of the Prime Minister’s Diwan Abdulaziz Dakhil Al-Dakhil, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Diplomatic Institute Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya, Director General of the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority Sheikh Dr Meshal Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, along with senior officials and dignitaries. In a press statement, His Highness the Prime Minister congratulated the graduates on their achievement, noting that it reflects their competence and readiness to serve Kuwait in the diplomatic arena.

He expressed confidence in their ability to follow in the footsteps of their predecessors, representing the country’s values and principles with dedication.  His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah was also praised for supporting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its cadres in their continued mission to strengthen Kuwait’s relations abroad, serving the nation’s supreme interests and consolidating its position regionally and internationally.

Assistant Foreign Minister for the Saud Al-Nasser Al-Sabah Diplomatic Institute, Ambassador Nasser Subaih Al-Subaih, delivered a speech emphasizing the state’s commitment to preparing a new generation of diplomats equipped with knowledge, competence, initiative, and responsibility.

He prayed for the graduates’ success in serving the country under the leadership of His Highness the Amir and  His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. Diplomatic Attaché Mohammed Nabil Al-Shraideh spoke on behalf of the graduates, stating that their graduation marks the beginning of their mission to serve Kuwait and pledging their full dedication and capabilities to advancing the nation’s interests. The ceremony concluded with His Highness the Prime Minister honoring the 10th and 11th batches of the “Tamooh” program at the Saud Al-Nasser Al-Sabah Diplomatic Institute. — KUNA

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