Kuwait showcases rich culture at Jerash Festival in Jordan
'Our participation aims to highlight key Kuwaiti cultural publications, which are a fundamental pillar of Kuwait's cultural scene,' said Dalal Al-Fadhli, Director of Culture at the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL). She added that the pavilion recreates the authentic atmosphere of a Kuwaiti diwaniya and introduces visitors to traditional crafts like shipbuilding and bisht tailoring.
The pavilion features an array of magazines and books covering both Kuwaiti and Arab culture, including well-known titles such as Al-Arabi, Al-Arabi Al-Sagheer, Aalam Al-Ma'rifa, and Aalam Al-Fikr. 'We've seen strong engagement from festivalgoers,' Al-Fadhli told KUNA. 'They're enjoying hands-on experiences with the artisans, the diwaniya setting, and the popular dishes, along with the cultural material we offer for free.'
Jordanian Minister of Culture Mustafa Rawashdeh (center left) is gifted a Kuwaiti bisht by Kuwaiti officials, including NCCAL Secretary-General Dr Mohammad Al-Jassar (center right).
Dalal Al-Fadhli
Artisan Hussein Al-Bazzaz, head of the Kuwaiti Craftsmen Association, has been leading live demonstrations of traditional dhow-building and offering brief lessons on the history of boom ships—vessels that once symbolized Kuwait's maritime legacy. 'Craftsmanship is an essential part of our heritage,' Al-Bazzaz said. 'The ships I build today are based on the same techniques passed down from my ancestors.'
Suleiman Al-Suleiman has conducted workshops on bisht making, the traditional robe worn across the Gulf. 'I'm the third generation in my family to carry this craft,' he said, adding that despite his academic job, his passion for the bisht tradition remains strong. 'Visitors are fascinated by how the bisht is handmade, the materials we use, and how the craft has evolved.'
The embassy exhibition was inaugurated Thursday by Jordanian Minister of Culture Mustafa Rawashdeh, alongside Kuwaiti officials including NCCAL Secretary-General Dr Mohammad Al-Jassar, and Kuwait's Ambassador to Jordan, Hamad Al-Merri. Al-Fadli praised Jordan's efforts in organizing one of the Arab world's most prominent cultural festivals and thanked the embassy exhibition team for their support and hospitality. — KUNA
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab Times
23 minutes ago
- Arab Times
Royal parties ... glitterati
Algerian poet and novelist Ahlam Mosteghanemi once wrote an article expressing her dismay at the lackluster reception she received upon arriving at Beirut airport, claiming it was not as warm as the welcome given to an 'artist.' At the time, I responded that this reaction was entirely understandable. Artists, particularly actors, singers, and performers, tend to hold a unique place in the hearts of the public, regardless of civilization or culture. Their popularity often far exceeds that of leading scientists, brilliant doctors, or distinguished writers, whose recognition tends to remain confined to their professional circles. That is why we often see the majority of guests invited to parties at the White House, royal palaces, or billionaire gatherings are not intellectuals, but entertainers like actors, singers, and musicians. A few days ago, the renowned artist Ziad Rahbani passed away, and I wrote an elegy in his memory. However, it seems that not everyone appreciated it, including my friend Professor Saad bin Tefla, who described Ziad as 'a hollow, troubled man full of psychological complexes.' He further accused him of holding harsh views and a condescending attitude toward the Gulf states, claiming this reflects the mindset of many Arab leftists, intellectuals, and prominent writers, and in turn a deeper internal crisis. Professor Saad described it as part of the crisis within the Arab world, manifested in a sense of cultural superiority held by those who see themselves as heirs to ancient civilizations, looking down on the so-called 'Arabs of the desert.' What they fail to recognize is that these very Gulf countries have advanced and developed rapidly, often surpassing the so-called cradle of civilizations, whose current standard of living bears little resemblance to their historic past. I don't think the issue is that simple, even if it reflects the truth. Those who try to obscure it do so out of ignorance. That said, the discussion about attitudes toward the Gulf and its people applies to various circles, but it is unfair to paint all artists and creatives with the same brush. Ziad Rahbani, despite the many wise, humorous, emotional, and sometimes biased or absurd quotes attributed to him, was not a thinker, writer, or lecturer, nor was he known for being deeply educated or culturally intelligent. He was, above all, an artist who breathed music as naturally as he breathed air. For over forty years, he enriched the lives of millions with works that remain timeless. That is what he should be remembered for, not his political stances or leftist leanings. After all, Laila Murad was Jewish, yet her voice captured the hearts of generations. The brothers Saleh and Daoud Al-Kuwaiti, who later immigrated to Israel, were also Jewish. Their different origins or religions never stood in the way of enjoying their timeless artistic heritage. The negative attitudes of some intellectuals, thinkers, and cultural figures toward the peoples of the Gulf are not isolated incidents. We should not dwell on them too long or hold every intellectual, writer, novelist, or philosopher accountable for their views. Doing so would mean depriving ourselves of a large part of the global intellectual and cultural heritage. The inferior or misguided perceptions about the people of the Gulf, and the negative attitudes toward them, are natural behavior, whether expressed by thinkers, singers, or politicians. This is part of human nature. After the two world wars, Americans faced similar condescension from Europeans, who saw them as representatives of cowboy culture, the Wild West, dollar greed, anti-civilization, anti-culture and descendants of society's dregs who immigrated to the New World. But this American 'cowboy', within just two or three decades, attained the highest levels of knowledge and progress in all fields, and had the biggest influence in Europe in security and finance, as well as became most successful in winning countless awards in all fields of creativity, setting an example for oppressed peoples worldwide, before circumstances changed. We must admit that the Gulf suffers from cultural scarcity, a lack of creativity, and cultural poverty. However, we are better today than we were yesterday, and we will be far better tomorrow. Combating or responding to the ideologies represented by figures like Zaydan, Adonis, Al-Aswany, and others doesn't mean boycotting their works or attacking them. It means striving to become pioneers in literature, leaders in art, and guardians of culture. This goal cannot be achieved without providing an atmosphere that is rich in freedom. For years, Kuwait and Lebanon stood out as the most creative hubs in the region due to well-known reasons. But how can we truly support literature, culture, and thought when censors scrutinize every breath of creative persons, when the publication of Al-Arabi, which was Kuwait's cultural flagship for over half a century, is suspended, and when the printing of Alam Al- Maarifa and similar publications is banned? We have succeeded in buying almost everything with our wealth, but culture and intellectual creativity cannot be purchased. They must be nurtured, cultivated, and allowed to grow; only then can we reap their fruits. What will remain in the memory of history, dear Saad, are not Ziad's stances on the Gulf states, his views on Nasrallah, or his support for Assad, but rather his timeless artistic contributions such as 'Give my regards to him,' 'How are you?,' 'On the roar of the bus,' 'I'm writing your name, my love,' 'Miss the gazelle,' 'Joy has come,' 'Since he is,' and many more.
Kuwait Times
2 days ago
- Kuwait Times
Gaming, Kuwaiti style: Developers showcase talent at NCCAL expo
3-day expo lets players test games, meet developers, shaping future of homegrown content KUWAIT: Young Kuwaiti game developers are getting the spotlight at the 'Made in Kuwait Video Games Expo,' which kicked off Friday at The Avenues mall as part of the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters' (NCCAL) Summer Cultural Festival 17. The three-day exhibition features locally developed video games that blend modern gameplay with Arab identity and traditional values. Visitors can try out the games firsthand, share feedback directly with developers, and engage with the creative process behind these digital experiences. 'This event is the result of past game development competitions we held as a national cultural challenge,' said Omaima Al-Saad, founder and director of NCCAL's gaming programs. 'They brought together talented Kuwaitis - developers, musicians, artists, storytellers, and designers - to create games within 72 hours.' The games on display were born from those time-limited challenges, and many are still in development. According to Al-Saad, this allows players to give real-time input, building a stronger connection between game creators and audiences. 'This direct feedback helps improve the games while encouraging a culture of collaboration between developers and players,' she said. Looking ahead, Al-Saad announced another initiative: a 'Game Development Bootcamp' will launch later this month at Kuwait National Library. It will feature eight intensive training programs, led by specialists in the field, aimed at teaching the basics and skills of game creation. Dalal Al-Fadhli, Director of Culture at NCCAL, emphasized the broader goal of the exhibit: 'It's part of our mission to present cultural content that's both entertaining and educational - content that's free from violence and promotes national tech culture.' Al-Fadhli noted that the game development challenge ran for two consecutive seasons and drew strong interest from Kuwaiti youth. 'What you see today at the expo reflects the progress of our local programmers and designers,' she said. 'This platform highlights the talent of young Kuwaitis in a field that's growing rapidly worldwide. It also shows how they're capable of producing high-quality digital content rooted in their identity and values,' she added. — KUNA
Arab Times
2 days ago
- Arab Times
'Made in Kuwait' expo puts local gaming talent in the spotlight
KUWAIT CITY, Aug 2: A large number of visitors flocked to The Avenues Mall on Friday for the launch of the 'Made in Kuwait' Electronic Games Expo, where the creativity and technical talent of Kuwaiti youth took center stage. The event, part of the 17th Cultural Summer Festival organized by the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL), aims to highlight local innovation in the rapidly growing gaming industry. The three-day exhibition features a selection of video games developed by young Kuwaiti creators. These projects incorporate Arab identity and cultural values through original design and storytelling. Visitors were given the opportunity to interact with the games, offer feedback, and engage directly with the developers, in an effort to promote user-driven improvement and cultural engagement in the digital sphere. Omaima Al-Saad, founder and director of electronic game industry programs at NCCAL, explained in a press statement that the showcased games are the result of prior seasonal game development competitions. These tournaments, hosted by the Council as part of a national cultural initiative, brought together a diverse range of Kuwaiti talents — including developers, musicians, visual artists, writers, and designers — to form creative teams. Over the course of 72 hours, these teams collaborated to produce fully functional video games. 'The current exhibition presents the outcomes of these challenges to the public,' Al-Saad said, 'demonstrating the innovative potential and digital skills of Kuwaiti youth in this vital and growing industry.' She noted that most of the games on display are still under development, which allows for direct audience interaction and feedback, strengthening the connection between creators and users. Al-Saad also announced an upcoming initiative: the "Programming Camp for Electronic Game Creation", scheduled to take place later this month at the Kuwait National Library. The camp will feature eight intensive training programs designed to teach participants the fundamentals of game development, with guidance from specialized trainers in the field. In a related statement, Dalal Al-Fadhli, Director of the Culture Department at NCCAL, emphasized that the Expo is aligned with the goals of the Cultural Summer 17 festival. 'We aim to provide culturally rich, non-violent, and entertaining content that enhances technological awareness and national digital culture,' she said. Al-Fadhli added that the electronic games challenge ran over two consecutive seasons and saw strong engagement from Kuwaiti youth. 'The games exhibited today are a direct outcome of these successful competitions and reflect the advanced level achieved by local programmers and designers,' she stated. She described the exhibition as an important platform to spotlight emerging Kuwaiti talent in a globally booming sector, while reaffirming the potential of Kuwait's youth to produce meaningful digital content that expresses their heritage and values.
