25th Qurain Cultural Festival inaugurated at Abdul-Hussein Abdul-Redha Theater

KUWAIT: Minister of Information and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Mohammad Al-Jabri said a galaxy of Kuwaitis have won the state orders of merit and incentive awards for 2018. Jabri, also president of the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL), said the winners are eminent cultural celebrities who deserve appreciation and support from the state. He was speaking on behalf of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah during the award ceremony which was held as part of the inauguration of the 25th Qurain Cultural Festival. The ceremony was held at Abdul-Hussein Abdul-Redha Theater on Tuesday.

The minister took pride in the care attached to all forms of cultural activities by the state's political leaders on top of who are His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Prime Minister. "The winners are a group of Kuwaiti intellectuals who have made trailblazing and creative works and contributed to the cultural and artistic movement in the country and the march of enlightenment in the Arab region," he said. "Today's awards reflect the care attached by the state to the cultural movement and the role of the new generation in the development and progress of the country," the minister pointed out. He appreciated the efforts made by members of the jury of the festival and their contributions to the cultural movement over the last 25 years, which made the festival one of the leading cultural events on the regional and international scales. He added that the organizers of the festival have always been keen on fostering the new generation of creative youth out of recognition of their roles in the future of the nation.

Meanwhile, Waleed Al-Rujaib, a novelist and one of the winners of the state orders of merit, said the offering of the state awards has become one of the main annual activities of the NCCAL and a source of pride for all Kuwaitis. Speaking on behalf of the laureates, Rujaib said that the Qurain festival plays a central role in the cultural movement and materializes commitment to Article 14 of the Constitution that stipulates the state care for arts, letters and sciences. "In its Article 36, the constitution also provides for freedom of opinion which is key to cultural enlightenment and thriving scientific research," the eminent writer pointed out. "Today's state awards put the winners in front of a great responsibility and a challenge to continue their innovative roles in serving the society and contributing to the progress of the country," Rujaib added.

The other winners of the state orders of merit are Abdullatif Al-Bannay - a musician, and Khaled Al-Shaiji who the state award for cultural services. The incentive awards were given to artist Jaber Mukhtar for his painting 'victims of poverty and starvation,' actor Hussein Hameed for his role in 'immortal memories' TV series. Stage director Faisal Al-Amiri won an award for 'echo of silence' play, composer Mishaal Jomaa and poet Mison Al-Suwaidan were also awarded while novelists Mona Al-Shimmeri and Bassam Al-Musallam shared the novel award. The award of literary, critical and linguistic studies was given to Dr Soad Al-Daas while Sabah Al-Rayyes and Aisha Al-Adsani shared the social and humanitarian studies award. The education award was given to Dr Mohammad Al-Qaderi and that of geography to Dr Ali Al-Dosari. - KUNA