KUWAIT: Secretary General of the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL) Mohammad Al-Jassar on Monday underscored the importance of cultural cooperation between Kuwait and the European Union, describing it as a cornerstone for strengthening bilateral ties across diverse sectors. Speaking to KUNA on the sidelines of the EU-Kuwait Culture Forum, Al-Jassar praised the “fruitful and excellent” cultural relations between the two sides.

The forum, held for the first time, was organized by the EU Delegation to Kuwait under the patronage of Minister of Information and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi, in celebration of Kuwait’s designation as the Arab Capital of Culture and Media for 2025. Al-Jassar noted the continued presence of EU archaeological teams working in Kuwait as a prime example of effective cooperation, emphasizing their contributions to unearthing and preserving the country’s rich heritage.

He also highlighted the growing number of Kuwaiti students pursuing higher education in European countries, acquiring valuable expertise to support national development efforts. In addition, Al-Jassar pointed to successful architectural collaborations, including landmark projects in Kuwait designed by European architects, as further evidence of the strength of cultural ties. “This forum reflects Kuwait’s commitment to reinforcing cultural exchange with nations around the world, particularly the European Union,” he said.

EU Ambassador to Kuwait Anne Koistinen lauded Kuwait’s cultural and civilizational legacy, describing it as a “valuable traditional treasure.” She emphasized the depth of cooperation in various fields such as architecture, the arts, and human sciences, as well as shared museum initiatives between Kuwait and the EU. Koistinen praised the forum as a tangible demonstration of deep-rooted and expanding cultural collaboration, noting that Kuwait and the EU are set to mark 40 years of diplomatic relations in early 2026.

Prominent figures from both sides participated in the forum, engaging in dialogue on preserving cultural heritage and exploring new avenues of cooperation. Discussions included initiatives such as the European Capitals of Culture, best practices in heritage conservation, cultural innovation, the role of museums, and community engagement in cultural activities. The event also served as a platform to explore strategies to elevate EU-Kuwait cultural relations to a more strategic level, aligning with both sides’ aspirations to foster long-term partnerships grounded in mutual respect and shared cultural values. — KUNA

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.

KUWAIT: Kuwait Municipality has affirmed the continuation of its nationwide inspection campaigns targeting illegal use of private and model residential properties by charitable societies and organizations. Head of the Engineering Audit and Follow-up Team in Hawally Governorate, Meshari Al-Turkait, told Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) on Monday that more than 200 residential properties were found to be used as unauthorized headquarters by various charitable societies across the six governorates.

Al-Turkait stated that municipal inspection teams contacted the concerned parties and urged them to evacuate the premises promptly. He noted that the majority of charity representatives cooperated immediately, facilitating swift compliance with municipal directives. In Hawally alone, the field team identified 17 violating sites, issuing formal warnings to seven, while the remaining ten were promptly vacated by their respective organizations without further action required.

The municipality also seeks to remove any related advertising billboards, awnings, or window modifications on these properties. Al-Turkait emphasized that field visits will intensify in the coming days to ensure complete adherence to municipal regulations and that legal measures will be taken against non-compliant parties. He pointed out that Ministerial Resolution No. 206/2009 strictly prohibits the use of buildings in private and model residential areas for purposes other than private housing. The municipality’s actions come as part of its efforts to enforce this regulation and preserve the intended residential character of these areas. — KUNA