Fire hits new performing arts center – No injuries

This news has been read 7131 times!

KUWAIT CITY, Feb 6, (Agencies): A fire that ripped through the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Center in Kuwait City has been brought under control, an Amiri Diwan official said on Monday. Firefighters have been able to respond promptly and effectively when the fire broke out as a result of construction work, head of the Amiri Diwan’s Financial and Administrative Affairs Abdulaziz Ishaq noted. Moreover, Ishaq, who also heads the committee in charge of the cultural center, added that the building was completely evacuated at the time of the blaze, which only resulted in material damage. The Amiri Diwan official thanked Kuwait Fire Service Directorate (KFSD) and all those involved in dealing with the mishap. The official Kuwait News Agency said no one was hurt in Monday’s fire at the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Center (JACC) in the capital, Kuwait City.

Smoke
It says five fire departments helped battle the fire, which sent thick smoke pouring from the futuristic-looking, waterfront complex. Meanwhile, the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical “Cats” slated to run from Feb 9 to 12 at the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmed Cultural Centre is still on, according to sources. The fire hasn’t affected the theatre where the musical is scheduled to perform. Inaugurated by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on Oct 31, 2016, the JACC was designed as a venue to organize and hold cultural events aimed at spreading arts appreciation amongst the local masses and also help attract visitors from abroad. According to the JACC website, the architectural marvel was designed to resemble jewels, reflecting rays of sunlight. The exterior of the JACC’s headquarters — constructed on an area of 52,000 square meters — was built from titanium and reinforced concrete. Some 10,000 workers helped build the JACC.

Accommodate
The JACC consisted of four building with one housing the main stage which could accommodate some 2,000 attendees, said Abouamer, adding that the drama theater and rehearsals spaces could house some 900 people. The second, third, and fourth buildings consisted of a 1,800-capacity musical facility, a 1,072-capacity cinema and multi-purpose space, and a 354-seats conference hall, said the official. The JACC is surrounded by water fountains and other facilities that will attract visitors to the area, said the official. The sprawling 214,000- square-metre (2.3 million square feet) centre, located in the heart of the capital Kuwait City, cost $750 million. Former Minister of Information and media figure Mohammad Al-Sanousi said that he was very optimistic that the JACC will be a shining beacon of cultural renaissance in Kuwait. The center will help usher a new era in the cultural and artistic movement in Kuwait and would hopefully bring well-known international artists, performers, and prominent figures to the country, added Al-Sanousi. Echoing similar statements, Poet Dr Sheikha Suad Al-Sabah and head of the Al-Babtain Foundation for Poetic Creativity, Abdulaziz Saud Al-Babtain both affirmed that the formation of the JACC, a center named after the beloved late Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, was a sign that the country was heading in the right direction culture and arts wise. The resurgence of the cultural and arts movements in Kuwait will be helped by the ever-awesome presence of the JACC, said the poets who hoped and wished for further progress and development of their country Kuwait.

This news has been read 7131 times!