Rare Arab, Muslim manuscripts on display at Kuwait National Library
NCCAL concludes 19th int’l music festival
KUWAIT CITY, May 25, (KUNA): The Kuwait National Library, in collaboration with the Georgian National Centre of Manuscripts, opened Tuesday evening the first exhibition for the Arab and Georgian manuscripts.
The event, sponsored by the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL), is part of the celebrations of Kuwait Capital of Islamic Culture 2016, and is organized in cooperation with the Georgian embassy. The exhibition highlights “bright and exciting” pages in the history of the Arabs and Muslims, reflecting major features of the Islamic civilization, Director General of the Kuwait National Library Kamel AbdulJalil told KUNA on the sidelines of the opening ceremony.
It features rare items from the Georgian National Centre of Manuscripts, located in the capital Tbilisi, including a multitude of works by Arab and Muslims scientists, as well as by pioneer Georgian calligraphers.
Abdul-Jalil stressed the library’s eagerness to enhance Kuwait’s status as a “Capital of Islamic Culture 2016” and reveal its openness to the world countries, in particular ones that own Islamic manuscripts.
This “cultural openness is part of Kuwait’s identity and heritage,” he said.
For his part, Georgian Ambassador to Kuwait, Roland Beridze said the event will contribute to efforts to bolster bilateral ties, since cultural activities constitute a major channel for convergence among nations.
Meanwhile, the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL) on Tuesday evening concluded the 19th edition of the international music festival with a concert by the band of Kuwait Higher Institute of Musical Arts.
The week-long festival, part of the celebrations of Kuwait Capital of Islamic Culture 2016, took place at Abdul-Mohsen Abdel-Redha Theater.
Speaking to KUNA on the sidelines of the closing ceremony, NCCAL’s assistant secretary-general for artistic and theatrical affairs sector Dr Bader Al-Duwaish said the Council was keen on paying tribute to the higher institute of musical arts for its role in promoting music education.
He commended the contributions of the Kuwaiti and international bands to the success of the event, noting it gave momentum to Kuwait’s preparations for the World Music Day, to be observed on June 21.
The festival, opened on May 17 under auspices and in the presence of the Minister of Information Sheikh Salman Sabah Al-Salem AlHumoud Al-Sabah, honored Suleiman Al-Mullah, a celebrated Kuwaiti musician.