KUWAIT CITY, May 31: Kuwait is home to numerous talented individuals of all ages and genders, constantly showcasing their creativity on various platforms. However, the extraordinary accomplishment of four-and-a-half-year-old Talia Saleh stands out as truly remarkable. Talia recently secured first place in the Art Planet International Piano Competition held in Turkey from May 12th to May 22nd. Notably, she became the youngest participant in the competition's history to achieve this feat, surpassing nearly 300 competitors aged 6 to 13.

Talia, the youngest Kuwaiti trainee at the Lina Bakir Academy for Musical Consultation and Training, is also the youngest female pianist globally. During the competition, she delivered an impressive performance of "Candles," a piece accompanied by a specialized orchestra and performed by other talented children and young musicians.

Lina Bakir, the founder and director of the academy, expressed her appreciation for the academy's collaboration with the Abdullah Al-Salem Cultural Center. This collaboration coincided with the conclusion of the academy's training season for the current year. Lina expressed her immense pride in Talia's victory and highlighted the success of two other girls, Sarah Malallah and Rawan Behbehani, aged 6 and 8 respectively, who have excelled in regional and international musical competitions.

The academy's director also noted the substantial demand from Kuwaitis of all ages to learn to play the piano, reflecting the enduring passion for music within the community.