Kuwait city: The 31st Al-Qurain Cultural Festival is scheduled to commence next Monday, celebrating the theme "A Renewed Heritage and Inexhaustible Creativity." The festival will be held under the patronage of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Assistant Secretary-General for the Cultural Sector at the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters, Aisha Al-Mahmoud, announced that the festival will run until February 11 and will feature a range of events that highlight local, Arab, and international culture. Since its inception in 1994, the festival has served as a source of inspiration and pride, showcasing Kuwait's cultural excellence through poetry, storytelling, visual arts, performances, and intellectual seminars.
Al-Mahmoud emphasized Kuwait's dedication to promoting culture and preserving heritage while integrating modernity to enhance culture's role in development and public awareness. This year's edition coincides with the conclusion of the "Kuwait, Capital of Arab Culture and Media 2025" celebrations.
The festival will commence with a ceremony that includes the State Appreciation Awards and the State Award for Creativity, honoring Professor Dr. Sulaiman Al-Askari. The opening ceremony will also feature a musical performance titled "Saffar" by Maestro Khaled Nouri at the Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Center.
Numerous art and cultural exhibitions are planned during the festival at various locations, including the Graduates Association in Bneid Al-Qar, the Kuwait National Museum, Museum of Modern Art, and Bait Al-Sadu. The festival will also showcase the National Mural Art Project and host a cultural evening with a screening of the film "Bas Ya Bahar" by director Khaled Al-Siddiq at the National Council's General Secretariat.
The artistic lineup includes a concert by the Kankouni Folk Band at The Avenues Mall, a jazz evening at Yarmouk Cultural Center, and concerts at Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Center. Additionally, a concert by the Hamad Bin Hussein Folk Band will be held at Assima Mall, alongside a Kuwaiti heritage night and a poetry recital at the JW Marriott Hotel, featuring winners of the Suad Al-Sabah Literary Creativity Awards.
An evening celebrating the poetic journey of Prince Bader bin Abdulmohsen is also planned in collaboration with the Suad Al-Sabah House for Culture and Creativity. Furthermore, the festival will host the World Crafts Forum in partnership with the World Crafts Council, which includes a crafts exhibition and training workshops at the Kuwait National Library until February 3.
The festival's main seminar, "From Heritage to Creativity: Kuwait and the Journey of Arab Culture," will span three days, offering exhibitions, lectures, and panels with thinkers and intellectuals. Highlights include discussions on AI and creativity, a talk by a Turkish ceramicist on contemporary murals, a photography exhibition with the Kuwaiti Photographic Arts Society, and a panel on the establishment of the Arabic Language Academy.
The "Spaces: Poems and Stories" event will feature poetry and storytelling, with dialogue sessions involving participants from Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, UAE, and Oman.