15/10/2025
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15/10/2025
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KUWAIT CITY, Oct 15: Minister of Information and Culture and Minister of State for Youth Affairs, Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi, affirmed the Kuwait political leadership's commitment to fostering cultural dialogue and enhancing global communication. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the exhibition "Distance and Closeness: Chinese Art in Kuwait," Al-Mutairi highlighted the event as a significant milestone in strengthening the cultural ties between Kuwait and China. The exhibition, organized by Dar Al-Athar Al-Islamiyyah as part of Kuwait's designation as the Capital of Arab Culture and Media 2025, was held under the patronage of His Highness the Prime Minister, Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.
Al-Mutairi commended the efforts of Sheikha Hussa Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, the General Supervisor of Dar Al-Athar Al-Islamiyyah, for her visionary leadership in curating the event. He noted her unique contributions in promoting Kuwait’s cultural presence on the global stage. “This exhibition marks a bright spot in the ever-deepening cultural cooperation between Kuwait and the People's Republic of China,” Al-Mutairi said, adding that it reflects the strength of the bilateral relationship between the two nations, rooted in mutual respect and shared goals.
In his speech, Al-Mutairi also recalled the official visit of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to China in 2023. The visit laid the foundation for a new phase of comprehensive strategic cooperation, enhancing the cultural, economic, scientific, and humanitarian exchange between Kuwait and China.
Sheikha Hessa Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, in her address, shared that the exhibition was in alignment with the vision of her late husband, Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. She described art as a universal language that promotes dialogue, understanding, and human closeness through shared creativity. The exhibition, which is set to run until the end of 2026, not only celebrates the cultural connection between Kuwait and China but also represents a key cultural event within Kuwait’s year as the Capital of Arab Culture.
“The exhibition’s title reflects Dar Al-Athar Al-Islamiyyah’s belief that through art, what is geographically distant becomes intimately close,” Sheikha Hussa said. She added that the exhibition emphasizes the deep cultural and economic ties between Kuwait and China through the lens of art.
Liu Xiang, the Acting Chargé d'Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Kuwait, also spoke at the event, stressing that the exhibition symbolizes the true friendship between the two nations. He thanked Kuwait’s leadership for its support in facilitating cultural exchanges over recent years.
Further remarks were made by Sheikha Dr. Al-Anoud Ibrahim Al-Duaij Al-Sabah, the Acting Assistant Secretary-General for the Islamic Antiquities Sector at the National Council for Culture, Arts, and Letters. She emphasized that the exhibition is more than just an artistic display; it serves as a cultural bridge linking East and West, reflecting the depth of human and cultural exchange between Kuwait and China.
“As someone who specializes in Chinese affairs and Kuwaiti-Chinese relations, I can say with certainty that what unites us is greater than what divides us,” said Sheikha Al-Duaij, who has visited China several times and witnessed the convergence of aesthetic values, history, and art appreciation between the two countries. She highlighted the exhibition as a continuation of the tangible achievements made since last year's conference, “The Distant Distances and the Convergence of Relations: The Silk Road, a Link Between Two Worlds,” which helped pave the way for this cultural collaboration.
The exhibition “Distance and Closeness” not only celebrates the historical ties between Kuwait and China but also marks a significant step in the deepening cultural interaction between the two countries, showcasing shared human creativity through art.
