KUWAIT: Under the patronage and in the presence of HH the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the “Fifth Fence” national operetta was held on Monday at Bayan Palace theater. The event was also attended by HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and senior state officials. The ceremony began with the national anthem, followed by student performances of the national operetta, which highlighted Kuwait’s unity, resilience and leadership in safeguarding the nation. A commemorative gift was presented to HH the Amir before his departure.

HH the Amir Sheikh Meshal received a congratulatory cable from HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah on the occasion of the 64th National Day and 34th Liberation Day. HH the Crown Prince wished HH the Amir good health and the people of Kuwait further progress and prosperity. He recalled the sacrifices of those who gave their lives for their country and for its development.

HH the Crown Prince renewed vows and determination to continue working towards expanded horizons, and more achievements under the astute leadership of HH the Amir.

HH the Amir sent a response cable to HH the Crown Prince, thanking him for his sincere sentiments. HH the Amir evoked the memory of the martyrs, whose sacrifices will remain immortalized in history. He wished HH the Crown Prince good health and wellbeing, and for Kuwait safety, security and affluence, as well as further developmental achievements.

HH the Amir also received congratulatory cables from leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states and Arab and friendly countries on the occasion of Kuwait’s National and Liberation Days. In return, he expressed gratitude for the warm sentiments, extending his good wishes and hoping for continued strong ties and prosperity between Kuwait and the friendly nations.

Kuwaitis each year eagerly anticipate a national operetta that is the epitome of patriotic fervor, where heart-warming melodies tell a tale of passion, pride and sheer devotion to the homeland. Since Kuwait’s independence, patriotic songs have been an inextricable part of a national journey towards development and growth, telling generations of Kuwaitis about the struggles of their forefathers, while simultaneously recalling watershed moments in the nation’s history, from independence to the Iraqi invasion and subsequent liberation.

In the early 1970s, national operettas first came to the limelight with the emergence of poet Mohammad Al-Fayez Al-Ali, while maestro Saeed Al-Banna composed a series of operettas, chief among them a 45-minute operetta for young students, in which he extolled the virtues of the Kuwaiti people. Another prominent national operetta was a duet by Shadi Al-Khaleej (Abdulaziz Al-Mufarrej) and Sanaa Al Kharaaz, which was a poetic narrative depicting the nation’s rich maritime tradition, in addition to a tale of sacrifice and hardships experienced by Kuwaitis in the pre-independence days.

Other famed operettas include the works of the late composer Sulaiman Al-Mulla in 1981, and another one that chronicles the story of the nation, composed by Youssef Nasser and sung by a number of artists, chiefly, the late Abdulkarim Abdulqader, while a notable operetta by Anwar Abdullah, written by Yaqoub Al-Subaie, delved into the tragic scenes of the brutal Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990.

With the popularity of operettas in full swing, a number of Kuwaiti state bodies also produced their own works, including the ministries of education and information, in addition to the erstwhile Public Authority for Youth and Sport, all of which conveyed messages of national zeal in a bid to connect with Kuwaitis from all walks of life. In March 2023, Kuwait’s Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Center played host to a national operetta that was tantamount to a history lesson, taking the audience on trip through time with a series of eight riveting scenes that chronicle the history of Kuwait from the times of the ancient Greek civilization all the way to the present day.

A similar operetta held last year told the story of the nation through emphasizing the notions of national unity and solidarity, while as part of national celebrations this year, HH the Amir Sheikh Meshal sponsored and attended the “Fifth Wall” operetta at Bayan Palace theater. Kuwait’s national holidays remain the perfect platform to recall the major epochs in the nation’s history, subsequently instilling in Kuwaitis a sense of national belonging and pride, while showcasing their aspirations and ambitions. – KUNA