Kuwait-EU Forge Deeper Cultural Ties At Landmark Forum

Secretary General of the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL), Mohammad Al-Jassar, emphasized the importance of Kuwait-EU cultural cooperation during the EU-Kuwait Culture Forum held on Monday. Organized by the EU Delegation to Kuwait, the event celebrated Kuwait's recognition as the Arab Capital of Culture and Media for 2025. This landmark forum was held under the patronage of Minister of Information and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi.

Fruitful Bilateral Cultural Relations

Al-Jassar described Kuwait-EU cultural relations as “fruitful and excellent,” highlighting ongoing collaborations, such as the visits of EU archaeological excavation teams to Kuwait. These joint efforts serve as a prime example of the productive cultural partnership between both sides. He also noted Kuwait’s commitment to sending numerous students to EU countries for advanced education, aiming to enhance national development and societal growth.

Architectural and Educational Cooperation

The Secretary General further mentioned architectural collaborations, particularly the EU’s involvement in designing landmark buildings in Kuwait, which underscores the depth of their cultural ties. Al-Jassar expressed that the forum exemplifies Kuwait’s dedication to strengthening cultural relations globally, with a special focus on the European Union.

EU Ambassador Highlights Cultural Heritage and Cooperation

Anne Koistinen, EU Ambassador to Kuwait, praised Kuwait’s rich cultural and civilizational heritage, referring to it as a valuable traditional treasure. She pointed to the EU's archaeological missions in Kuwait and emphasized cooperation across architecture, arts, human sciences, and museum exchanges.

Koistinen described the EU-Kuwait Culture Forum as a strong indicator of deepening cultural cooperation, coinciding with the upcoming 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Kuwait and the EU early next year.

Forum Discussions on Enhancing Cultural Connections

Prominent speakers from both Kuwait and the EU engaged in discussions focused on preserving and promoting cultural heritage. The forum explored ways to increase cultural exchanges and elevate Kuwait-EU relations to a strategic partnership level.

Key Topics and Initiatives

• The European Capitals of Culture initiative
• Best practices in cultural heritage preservation from Kuwait and Europe
• Building partnerships and fostering innovation in audiovisual media
• The role of museums in raising public awareness and engaging communities

This forum sets the stage for ongoing collaboration aimed at cultural preservation and mutual enrichment between Kuwait and European nations.