Latest news with #AUK
Kuwait Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Kuwait Times
Italian Embassy hosts musical evening at AUK
KUWAIT: The Italian Embassy in Kuwait hosted a concert at the American University of Kuwait (AUK) Auditorium, titled 'A Musical Journey Through Classical and Contemporary Italian Melodies,' as part of its National Day celebrations. In his opening remarks, Italian Ambassador Lorenzo Morini thanked AUK for once again providing its auditorium for the event and welcomed attendees in celebration of Italy's musical heritage. 'Yesterday we commemorated the National Day of Italy, the most important event for Italy and all the Italian people around the world, and today we are going to enjoy together a beautiful concert showcasing some of the most celebrated melodies of the Italian musical tradition,' he said. The ambassador highlighted the global recognition of many Italian songs, describing music as a 'bridge' between Italy and other cultures, including Kuwait. Italian Ambassador Lorenzo Morini Performers soprano Michela Sburlati, tenor Paolo Bernardi, and pianist Rosalba Lapresentazione perform at AUK. The evening featured performances by soprano Michela Sburlati, tenor Paolo Bernardi and pianist Rosalba Lapresentazione. The program included a selection of renowned works by composers such as Michele Novaro, Ruggero Leoncavallo, Lucio Dalla and Domenico Modugno, among others. The concert was attended by members of the diplomatic community, music enthusiasts and guests from across Kuwait.
Arab Times
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Arab Times
Voices of Italy Captivate Kuwait in Embassy-Hosted Musical Evening
KUWAIT CITY, Jun 4: On a wonderful and exceptional evening, the Italian Embassy hosted a concert at the American University of Kuwait (AUK) Auditorium, titled "A Musical Journey Through Classical and Contemporary Italian Melodies." In his speech, the Italian Ambassador, Lorenzo Morini, expressed his gratitude to the American University of Kuwait for hosting the Italian Concert once again at the university's magnificent auditorium. He also thanked the audience for coming to celebrate Italy and its musical traditions. He said, "Yesterday we commemorated the National Day of Italy, the most important event for Italy and all the Italian people around the world, and today we are going to enjoy together a beautiful concert showcasing some of the most celebrated melodies of the Italian musical tradition'. He added, "These songs are a core element of the Italian heritage and most of them are also very well-known worldwide, thus representing an ideal bridge between Italy and the rest of the world. In other words, thanks to these songs, music plays a pivotal role in creating and nourishing the strong bonds existing between the people of Italy and, in our case, the people of Kuwait.' The Ambassador expressed his gratitude to the wonderful artists who enlivened the evening with their captivating and wonderful voices. The soprano Michela Sburlati, the tenor Paolo Bernardi, and the pianist Rosalba Lapresentazione gave a truly special performance and a wonderful journey into the masterpieces of Italian music and musical arts, performing a selection of famous songs composed by many great musicians such as Michele Novaro, Francesco Paolo Tosti, Ruggero Leoncavallo, Ernesto De Curtis, Stanislao Gastaldon, Luigi Ricci, Renato Carusoni, Vincenzo Danibali, Lucio Dalla, Salvatore Cardello, Domenico Modugno and Francesco Migliacci.
Kuwait Times
10-05-2025
- Business
- Kuwait Times
AUK students unite for Gaza with ‘Play it Forward' awareness event
Initiative spotlights Palestine's humanitarian crisis, promotes solidarity KUWAIT: The Finance Club at the American University of Kuwait (AUK) organized an awareness event titled 'Play it Forward' on Wednesday, in collaboration with the Office of Student Life and 12 student organizations, to shed light on the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Speaking to Kuwait Times, Shoroq Bukhamsin, President of the Finance Club, said the event's primary aim was to amplify awareness. 'We wanted people to remember the cause, to remember the people. It's still relevant and it will never stop being relevant,' she said. A key feature of the event was an emotional art exhibition titled 'Gaza Habibti' by Untold Palestine, which displayed photographs of Gaza's people before and after the war. 'The gallery traces the emotional journey — beginning with life before the war, then documenting the devastation and personal stories from the current conflict,' Bukhamsin explained. 'It reminds us they are not just numbers. They are souls, families, daughters and sons.' The exhibition also included large-scale installations by regional artists, including a moving piece known as the Martyr's Wall, which displayed photos of 1,300 Palestinians who lost their lives. 'This is not even a fraction; the current death toll exceeds 50,000,' Bukhamsin noted. She extended heartfelt thanks to AUK, faculty advisors, club executives, supporting businesses, and Kuwait Times for their support and coverage. The Palestinian flag is displayed at the 'Play it Forward' event held on Wednesday to shed light on the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Visitors interact with vendors at the open market and game zone. Accessories made using traditional Palestinian embroidery are showcased at the event. Vendors pose for a photo at the open market as part of the 'Play it Forward' event organized by the Finance Club at the American University of Kuwait (AUK) in collaboration with the Office of Student Life and 12 student organizations. Jumanah Al-Bloushi, Vice President of the Finance Club, said the event also featured an open market and game zone. Local businesses and food vendors participated, pledging 25 percent of their proceeds to humanitarian causes related to Palestine. Attendees were encouraged to donate through interactive games. A performance show by ArtScene and Argan Bedaya capped the event, featuring music, poetry and storytelling in tribute to Palestinian identity and resilience. Al-Bloushi praised the collective spirit: 'It's so beautiful to see so many different organizations come together just to make this happen today.' She added, 'This event is a reminder that even after a year, the Palestinian cause is still relevant and we will not let it be forgotten.' Mishari Al-Ibrahim, a member of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement in Kuwait, also participated in the exhibition. He emphasized the boycott as a powerful form of resistance: 'Here in Kuwait, we're pioneers and active in this field,' he said. 'These events allow us to explain the different forms of boycott — commercial, academic and sports — as tools to counter normalization and raise awareness.' He encouraged individuals to engage by staying informed and making conscious choices. 'At the very least, refrain from buying targeted products and raise awareness among your family and peers,' he said. 'When you have the right information, you become a source of knowledge. That's how you become an active member of the global boycott movement and part of the change.'
Arab Times
12-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab Times
‘From Ground Zero': film sheds light on genocide in Gaza
KUWAIT CITY, April 12: Palestinian Ambassador to Kuwait Rami Tahboub confirmed that 'From Ground Zero' is the most powerful and important movie ever filmed in Gaza Strip, three weeks after the start of the genocidal war waged by the occupying State against the Palestinian people, particularly those in the Gaza Strip indicating that Palestinian directors residing in Gaza produced the movie. Tahboub made the statement on the sidelines of the screening of the movie as part of the Palestine Film Festival organized recently by the American University of Kuwait (AUK) in cooperation with the Palestinian Embassy. Several diplomats, citizens, expatriates and supporters of the Palestinian cause attended the event. He stated that the producers of the movie are eyewitnesses to what has been happening in recent periods, indicating the movie is a collection of 20 short films. He pointed out that the goal is to inform the entire world about what is happening in Gaza in this difficult period. He said more than 100 people -- all filmmakers -- worked in the filming set. 'They faced difficulties due to power and Internet outages, as well as the need to communicate with the core team, including Palestinian filmmaker Rashid Masharawi. They risked their lives from the North to the South of the Gaza Strip to document these events,' he disclosed. He affirmed that the film has been shortlisted for an Oscar. 'It has been screened at 100 international film festivals, and there are attempts to screen it at the Cannes Film Festival,' he added. He emphasized that the film's ultimate message is for the world to know the genocide taking place in the Gaza Strip against the Palestinian people and for viewers to experience the moment that Palestinians have experienced. In addition, an Arabic evening event in Malmö, Sweden included the screening of 'From Ground Zero: Untold Stories from Gaza'. This project brings together 22 short films produced by talented directors from Gaza. Launched by prominent Palestinian filmmaker Rashid Masharawi, the initiative emerged amidst the conflict and aims to provide a platform for young artists to express themselves through their craft. Each short film, ranging from three to seven minutes in length, offers a unique perspective on the current reality in Gaza. The project captures the diverse experiences of life in the Palestinian enclave like the challenges, tragedies, and moments of resilience faced by its people. Blending genres such as fiction, documentary, animation and experimental film; the movie presents a rich web of stories that reflect the grief, joy and hope found in Gaza. Despite the harsh recording conditions, Gaza's vibrant art scene shines through this collection, offering an intimate and powerful portrayal of the daily lives and perpetual mindset of its people. Present at the event were Arab and European filmmakers in Malmö, including the director of the Malmö Arab Film Festival in Sweden, renowned artist and director Mohammad Kablawi, and the project's founding director Palestinian director Rashid Masharawi who responded to the queries of a large audience at Panora Cinema after the screening.
The Independent
09-04-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Universal theme park will bring growth, jobs and joy to UK, PM says
A UK deal to secure the first Universal theme park in Europe will bring 'growth, jobs and of course joy to Britain', Sir Keir Starmer has said. The resort in Bedfordshire is set to open in 2031 following an agreement brokered between the American company, the Government and the local council. Announcing the plans on Wednesday, the Prime Minister sought to strike an optimistic note and talk up domestic strengths amid ongoing market turmoil following more of Donald Trump's global trade tariffs coming into effect. 'It's going to put Bedford on the map for millions of people – film lovers, people coming here for fun, people building their careers here,' he said during a visit to the town. 'You know, people said to me, Government will be a roller-coaster, and I can testify to that. 'I don't think this is quite what they meant. But look, this is our plan for change in action, bringing investment, bringing opportunity, growth, jobs, and, of course, joy to Britain.' He added: 'And of course, it will boost our world-class creative industries… And we are world class. We punch well above our weight.' Sir Keir said there were 'tough days' in Government, but that being able to launch the development of a theme park was 'completely different'. But the announcement coincided with the FTSE 100 tumbling 2.34% shortly after opening, wiping out most of the gains made on Tuesday. Markets across the globe have faced further volatility since Tuesday evening amid fears of an escalating trade war after the White House confirmed that a punitive 104% rate on some Chinese imports would become a reality. Ministers still hope an economic agreement with Washington can be reached to soften the blow of the 10% 'baseline' tariff hitting UK goods, as well as the 25% import tax on cars and separate ones for steel and aluminium. Speaking on Wednesday alongside the Prime Minister, Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the deal with Universal was 'a real sign of confidence in the local economy and in the national economy'. 'I'm delighted that we're able to make this announcement today, along with the amazing theme park, comes so much more,' she said. '£50 billion benefit to the UK economy, 28,000 jobs in a whole range of sectors – obviously construction, that's going to be a massive part of it in the next few years, but also then retail, hospitality, creative industries, performing arts – things that this country is brilliant at.' The attraction will be one of the largest and most advanced theme parks in Europe, with 8.5 million visitors expected in its first year. By 2055, Universal expects the 476-acre site near Bedford to generate nearly £50 billion for the economy, with a 500-room hotel and a retail and entertainment complex planned along with the theme park. The Government has promised a major investment in infrastructure and transport around the site to support the delivery of the project and make sure it is easily accessible for visitors. The project ties in with other work around the Oxford-Cambridge corridor, including support for the expansion of Luton Airport. The proposals to transform the site, a former brickworks, remain subject to a formal planning decision process from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. The Prime Minister welcomed Mike Cavanagh, the president of Universal's parent company Comcast Corporation, to Downing Street to mark the announcement. He was shown a computer-generated image of the park, complete with rides, themed areas and a water show. Universal theme parks in the US contain rides and attractions from its stable of big blockbusters and movie franchises, which includes Minions, ET and Jurassic Park, as well as Kung Fu Panda, Fast & Furious and Shrek. Other Universal franchises include the Jason Bourne films, Jaws, Wicked and Back To The Future. Mr Cavanagh said: 'We could not be more excited to take this very important step in our plan to create and deliver an incredible Universal theme park and resort in the heart of the United Kingdom, which complements our growing US-based parks business by expanding our global footprint to Europe.' Universal has five entertainment and resort complexes around the world – Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood in the USA, Universal Studios Japan in Osaka, Universal Beijing Resort in China and Universal Studios Singapore. Mark Woodbury, chairman and chief executive of Universal Destinations & Experiences, said: 'Bringing a world-class theme park and resort to the United Kingdom is a tremendous opportunity and is part of our strategy to introduce the Universal brand and experiences to new audiences around the globe.' Shadow business secretary Andrew Griffith said the previous Conservative administration 'worked closely with Universal Studios to secure the land and help bring forward plans for the new park'. He added: 'We're pleased that, despite Labour's economic mismanagement, Universal Studios has committed to investing in Bedfordshire.'
