KUWAIT CITY, Sept 28: The ‘Moscow Seasons’ festival in Kuwait concluded Saturday with a grand classical music concert by the prestigious Moscow State Symphony Orchestra, held at Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Centre (JACC), marking a vibrant celebration of cultural ties between Kuwait and Russia.

The concert, conducted by acclaimed Maestro Ivan Rudin, featured a captivating program of Russian musical masterpieces, including Igor Stravinsky’s The Firebird, Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker, and Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s exotic symphonic suite Scheherazade, inspired by the legendary Arabian Nights tales.

In a speech at the event, Minister of Information and Culture and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi emphasized that the concert and festival reflect the strong and historic relationship between Kuwait and the Russian Federation, highlighting the deepening cooperation in the fields of culture and tourism.

“This event represents a bridge of understanding and communication between the two friendly peoples, and promotes cultural dialogue based on mutual respect and appreciation for the values of art and creativity,” said Al-Mutairi, in the presence of Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali Al-Sabah.

The festival, held from September 25 to 27 at JACC and The Avenues Mall, was the first of its kind in the Middle East, aiming to showcase Moscow’s rich heritage and modern culture while enhancing cultural and tourism cooperation between the two countries.

Minister Al-Mutairi noted that the festival comes within a series of joint Kuwaiti-Russian initiatives, including the recently concluded Kuwait Cultural Week in Moscow, which was well-received and introduced the Russian public to Kuwait’s diverse cultural heritage.

He added that, under the directives of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Kuwait is committed to strengthening bilateral cooperation with Russia in various sectors, particularly culture and tourism.

“This evening is a new window for the Kuwaiti public to experience the creativity of authentic Russian music, and it reinforces Kuwait’s position as an incubator of global arts and a platform for international cultural exchange,” Al-Mutairi said.

The Minister expressed appreciation to the Mayor of Moscow and the Moscow government for initiating cultural exchange through such significant programs, and thanked the Amiri Diwan and all organizers for their efforts in staging the event.

Russian Ambassador to Kuwait Vladimir Zheltov also addressed the audience, praising the success of the concert and underlining its role in showcasing the richness of Russian musical heritage. He noted the presence of some of Moscow’s finest musicians and invited the Kuwaiti public to visit Moscow and explore its cultural landmarks.

Ambassador Zheltov highlighted the exceptional nature of Russian-Kuwaiti relations, describing them as steadily progressing across multiple levels.

Deputy Chairman of the Moscow Tourism Committee Bulat Nurmukhanov said the festival provided a rare opportunity to present Moscow’s artistic and historical spirit to the Kuwaiti audience. He expressed joy in holding the event in Kuwait, a nation he described as having a "rich history and generous heart.”

He emphasized that the concert coinciding with World Tourism Day serves as a reminder of the critical role of tourism and cultural exchange in fostering global dialogue and mutual understanding.

“This concert is more than a performance—it is a heartfelt gesture of friendship between Moscow and Kuwait,” Nurmukhanov added, thanking the Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Information and Culture for their cooperation in organizing the celebration.

Guests at the concert were treated to Moscow tea and traditional Muscovite sweets, and had the chance to take photos in historical costumes from the “Moscow Palaces Festival,” adding a touch of immersive cultural experience to the evening.

The "Moscow Season in Kuwait" was organized by the Moscow Tourism Committee in collaboration with the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Kuwait, aiming to offer the Kuwaiti public a deeper look into Moscow’s cultural identity and artistic excellence.

Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Kuwait Vladimir Zheltov

The maestro Ivan Rudin and his band