KUWAIT CITY, Jan 24: The 31st Al-Qurain Cultural Festival will open next Monday under the theme “A Renewed Heritage and Inexhaustible Creativity,” under the patronage of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL) announced.

Assistant Secretary-General for the Cultural Sector at NCCAL, Aisha Al-Mahmoud, said the festival, running until February 11, will showcase local, Arab, and international culture through a diverse program of events, including poetry, storytelling, visual arts, performances, intellectual seminars, and lectures.

“Since its launch in 1994, the Al-Qurain Cultural Festival has been a source of inspiration and pride, highlighting Kuwait’s cultural excellence while connecting heritage with modern creativity,” Al-Mahmoud said. She emphasized that the festival promotes Kuwait’s commitment to preserving its heritage while engaging with modernity to strengthen the role of culture in societal development and public awareness.

Al-Mahmoud noted that this edition coincides with the conclusion of the “Kuwait, Capital of Arab Culture and Media 2025” celebrations. The festival will open with a ceremony featuring the State Appreciation Awards and the State Award for Creativity, honoring Professor Dr. Suleiman Al-Askari, alongside a musical performance titled “Safar” by Maestro Khaled Nouri at the Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Center.

The festival program includes art and cultural exhibitions at the Graduates Association in Bneid Al-Qar, the Kuwait National Museum, the Museum of Modern Art, and Bait Al-Sadu, along with the National Mural Art Project. Other events include a screening of the film Bas Ya Bahar by director Khaled Al-Siddiq and the “Arab Women… Half of Development” exhibition from the archives of Al-Arabi magazine.

Al-Mahmoud outlined a wide range of concerts and performances, including shows by the Kankouni Folk Band at The Avenues Mall, a jazz evening at Yarmouk Cultural Center, and concerts at Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Center. Additional performances include the Hamad Bin Hussein Folk Band at Assima Mall, a Kuwaiti heritage night and poetry recital at JW Marriott Hotel featuring winners of the Suad Al-Sabah Literary Creativity Awards, and an evening celebrating the poetic journey of Prince Bader bin Abdulmohsen.

The festival also hosts the World Crafts Forum, in partnership with the World Crafts Council, running until February 3, with exhibitions and workshops at the Kuwait National Library.

The main seminar, “From Heritage to Creativity: Kuwait and the Journey of Arab Culture,” will run for three days with morning and evening sessions, featuring exhibitions, lectures, and panel discussions with regional thinkers and intellectuals. Highlights include a lecture on artificial intelligence and creativity, a Turkish ceramicist’s talk on contemporary murals, a photography exhibition in collaboration with the Kuwaiti Photographic Arts Society, and a panel on establishing the Arabic Language Academy.

Poetry and storytelling are also central to the festival, with the “Spaces: Poems and Stories” event featuring dialogue sessions with participants from Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, the UAE, and Oman. Other dialogues include sessions with Professor Dr. Suleiman Al-Askari and closing ceremonies celebrating Kuwait as the Capital of Arab Culture and Media 2025.

Al-Mahmoud said the festival reflects Kuwait’s ongoing dedication to nurturing creativity, cultural exchange, and the preservation of its rich heritage.