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Kuwait Times
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Kuwait Times
Gala Chopin concert closes Europe Month celebrations
This year, Kuwait has been recognized as the Arab Capital of Culture, while Poland holds the presidency of the European Union. The year 2025 also holds special significance for enthusiasts of Chopin's music. In October, Warsaw will host the 19th edition of the International Chopin Piano Competition — one of the oldest and most prestigious music competitions in the world. Held every five years, the event has, for nearly a century, discovered outstanding piano talents and launched the international careers of young musicians. In Kuwait, since 1999, many gifted young musicians have competed in the International Chopin Competition organized by the Kuwait Music Academy. Co-founded by Polish musicians, the academy has promoted classical music and provided high-level music education in Kuwait for over 30 years. This year, the 7th edition of the competition was organized in collaboration with the Embassy of Poland and under the patronage of the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL). The event also received strong support from the French and British ambassadors, who sponsored special prizes for participants. More than 30 nationalities were represented among the applicants. After reviewing 120 submissions, the jury awarded the Grand Prix Prize — founded by the ambassador of Poland — to Shaun Thomas (India) and Shahad Tarik AlAsad (Kuwait). The gala concert and award ceremony took place at the Yarmouk Cultural Centre and was attended by Dr Mohanned Al-Jassar Secretary General of the NCCAL, along with the ambassadors of Poland, France and Great Britain. The evening began with an opening performance by distinguished Kuwaiti pianist Faisal Al-Bahairi, followed by the Grand Prix winners performing select works by Chopin. The concert also marked the closing of the Europe Month celebrations, which took place throughout May.
Arab Times
27-04-2025
- Business
- Arab Times
Kuwait plans exciting tourism and cultural events for the coming months
KUWAIT CITY, April 27: The Permanent Committee for Celebrating National Holidays and Occasions convened a meeting on Sunday at Seif Palace, led by Minister of Information and Culture and Minister of State for Youth Affairs, Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi. The meeting focused on reviewing the latest developments and initiatives related to upcoming tourism and cultural events. In his address, Minister Al-Mutairi highlighted the significant progress the tourism sector has made recently. He emphasized the government's commitment to revitalizing tourism and the sector's growing popularity among both citizens and visitors. Yousef Al-Azmi, Deputy Director General for Development Affairs at Kuwait Municipality, presented proposals for initiatives in the coming months. These include plans to host tourism and entertainment weeks at the Avenues Mall, Capital Mall, and Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Cultural Center. The events will be held in cooperation with leading telecom companies, such as STC, Zain, and Tamdeen Company, the owner of the 360 Mall. The Public Authority for Youth's Monitoring and Evaluation Team provided an update on performance indicators for various events. They underscored the importance of monitoring these activities through the Hayakom platform to ensure accurate evaluation. The meeting also discussed strategies to enhance summer tourism, encouraging hotels and shopping malls to host shows and initiatives. There was also a focus on unifying the registration and evaluation process for these activities through the Hayakom platform, along with extending the working hours of shopping malls during the summer vacation period. The National Council for Culture, Arts, and Letters presented a visual update on the planned theatrical performances to celebrate Kuwait's selection as the Arab Capital of Culture for 2025. Additionally, the eighth session of the Arab Children's Theater Festival will be inaugurated, with the selection of the best 14 theatrical works, and preparations are underway for the launch of a summer cultural festival. Tourism Enterprises Company also shared details about the P Zero project, a developing water city, and announced the opening of the second phase, which will feature water games. The meeting concluded with an agreement to present the executive plan for the approved projects at the next meeting.
Arab Times
26-01-2025
- Politics
- Arab Times
‘Kuwait's New media regulation law nears completion'
KUWAIT CITY, Jan 26: Minister of Information and Culture and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Abdulrahman Badah Al-Mutairi says the media regulation law will see the light soon and will play a major role in promoting responsible freedom of expression. Acts of aggression against the divine entity, prophets, and the sovereign will be the only transgressions subject to penalty. Al-Mutairi said this during a press conference held yesterday morning at the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers in Shaab to announce the launch of the activities of Kuwait as the Capital of Arab Culture and Media, and in response to remarks from the Dean of Kuwaiti Journalism and Editor-in-Chief of Arab Times and Al-Seyassah newspapers Ahmed Al-Jarallah, who was present at the event. Al-Mutairi praised Kuwaiti media, describing it as a leading force in the Gulf and Arab media arena. He highlighted the contributions of the pioneering figures in Kuwait who shaped the nation's media legacy, which is rooted in art, freedom, and culture, with its influence reaching far beyond regional borders. Al-Mutairi explained that Kuwait is proud to be chosen as the Arab Capital of Culture and Media for 2025, an honor granted annually by the Arab League Educational, Cultural, and Scientific Organization and the Council of Arab Information Ministers in appreciation of the contributions countries make to culture and media both regionally and internationally. The title of Arab Capital of Culture is awarded to the city that showcases its role in promoting culture, arts, and literature, and also reflects Arab heritage through cultural programs held throughout the year. It is also granted to the city that plays a major role in developing the Arab media scene, enhancing media diversity, and supporting the modern media infrastructure. Kuwait's selection for this title represents recognition of its leadership in both culture and media, and affirms its commitment to advancing cultural and media content that reflects its national identity and rich cultural heritage. He said, 'This event reflects the strong patronage that the media and culture sectors receive, as well as the continuous support of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmed Al-Abdullah. This support has led to cultural and media successes that have strengthened Kuwait's position both regionally and internationally.' In line with this high-level support, we launched the Ministry of Information's 2021/2026 strategy under the vision of 'Sustainable Media - Pioneering in the Production of Meaningful Content'. We also introduced the National Council for Culture, Arts, and Letters Strategy 2023/2028, with a vision of 'Sustainable Cultural Development and an Environment that Stimulates Creativity'. As a result of these efforts, and the integration of strategies between culture and media, Kuwait was selected as the Capital of Culture for 2025 by the Executive Council of the Arab League Educational, Cultural, and Scientific Organization, and as the Capital of Arab Media for 2025 by the Council of Arab Information Ministers. By Medhat Allaam Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff
