KUWAIT: Under the patronage of the Minister of Information and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Abdulrahman Bedah Al-Mutairi, the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL) and the European Union Delegation to Kuwait jointly organized the first-ever “EU-Kuwait Culture Forum” on 19 May. The event held at Dar Al-Athar Al-Islamiyyah took place in celebration of Kuwait becoming the Arab Capital of Culture and Media for 2025 and as part of Europe Month Activities in Kuwait.
Prominent speakers from both the European Union and Kuwait participated in the forum to discuss the long-standing collaboration between European Union Member States and Kuwait to preserve and promote cultural heritage. During the event, participants also exchanged on ways to promote and increase EU-Kuwait cultural connections, as both the European Union and Kuwait strive to enhance their excellent relations and elevate them to a strategic level. During the forum, attendees also watched a video displaying the strong cultural connections between Europe and Kuwait across many areas, including European Union Member States contributions to the architectural landscape of modern Kuwait.
Anne Koistinen, EU Ambassador to Kuwait said: “As Kuwait is the Arab Capital of Culture and Media this year, this important forum celebrates the multiple cultural connections that have bonded Kuwait and EU Member States for centuries. The European Union values its long-standing partnership with Kuwait not only because it is grounded in mutual respect and a shared vision for peace, but also because our relations are built upon solid ties between our cultures and our peoples.
The European Union is determined to continue supporting the excellent cultural cooperation between its Member States and Kuwait, and we are ready to share our experience including our technical expertise in this regard.” The discussions at the forum touched upon a wide range of topics, including initiatives such as the European Capitals of Culture, best European and Kuwaiti practices in preserving cultural heritage and building partnerships, as well as innovation and audiovisual practices or the role of museums in raising awareness and engaging the local communities in cultural heritage practices.
