Hala February kicks off with a bang on Gulf Road – 80 floats participate in festival

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KUWAIT CITY, Jan 29, (KUNA): Up to 27 government ministries and agencies and 13 Arab and foreign embassies and 80 floats took part on Friday in the Hala February 2016 festival, culminating in a colorful parade and marching bands on the Gulf Road.

The parade was held under the auspices of Minister of Information and State Minister for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah. This year’s festival coincides with the 10th anniversary of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah’s assumption of power, the 25th anniversary since Liberation Day, and the 55th anniversary of the National Day.

Embassies taking part in the parade on Gulf Road were those of Indonesia, Jordan, the UAE, Morocco, Tunisia, Yemen, Palestine, Sudan, Iran, India, Egypt, South Africa, and South Korea. The festival regaled onlookers with an air show and a marine show besides the parade of floats and marching bands, among other offerings.

The festival kicks off today the shopping bonanza in February each year energizing the shopping season in the country and promoting tourism, said chairman of the organizing committee for “Hala February” festival Walid Al-Saqubi in a statement to KUNA. He said there were many events lined up for the month of February that would resonate well with the public, stressing that talented Kuwaiti youths were welcome to join in. Lasting through Feb 24, the annual festival aims at boosting such economic sectors as those of the retail business, entertainment, and tourism.

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