Kuwait shifts cultural activities to ’21 due to coronavirus crisis

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45th Int’l Book Fair postponed

KUWAIT CITY, July 20, (KUNA): Kuwait’s Information Minister Mohammad Al-Jabri decided to postpone this year’s cultural and artistic festivals and activities of the National Council of Culture, Art and Letters (NCCAL) to 2021.

Al-Jabri, acting upon a recommendation of NCCAL’s Committee of Trustees, also postponed Kuwait 45th International Book Fair, originally scheduled for November, due to the coronavirus pandemic, NCCAL Secretary General said Monday. Kamel Al-Abduljalil, in a statement, attributed postponement decision to the massive disruption and damage caused by Covid-19 on services and development sectors including culture, art, antiquities and museums.

Al-Jabri, also NCCAL Chairman, took this decision for the sake of safety and wellbeing of public and visitors as well as in line with the instructions of the health and security authorities, he said. Al-Abduljalil described the decision as “painful but necessary. “We feel sorry to lose direct connection with our audience in theaters, exhibitions, museums, historic buildings and libraries,” he said.

He commended NCCAL’s staff who were exerting efforts to continue providing cultural and artistic activities to the public virtually. NCCAL, said Al-Abduljalil, was considering holding a virtual platform to replace Kuwait International Book Fair before end of November.

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