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The Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority organized a cultural celebration honoring Emirati-Kuwaiti relations on Saturday evening as part of the Al Ain Heritage Festival opening day festivities. The Al Ain Heritage Festival runs from January 31 through February 9 at the Exhibition Grounds in Al Ain city, featuring this special event as a highlight of bilateral cultural cooperation between the two Gulf nations.
According to the official announcement, Abdullah Mubarak Al Muhairi, Acting Director General of the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, attended the celebration alongside executive directors from various sectors within the authority and a large crowd of festival visitors. The event forms part of the week-long celebration of Emirati-Kuwaiti relations taking place across the UAE under the theme “UAE and Kuwait: Brothers Forever,” which continues until February 4 with community, entertainment, and cultural activities.
Traditional Performances Highlight Al Ain Heritage Festival
The Al Ain Heritage Festival celebration began with the playing of both nations’ national anthems on the festival’s main stage. Following the anthems, performers presented a segment titled “UAE and Kuwait: Brothers Forever” featuring a joint performance combining Emirati Al Ayala and Kuwaiti Al Arda traditional arts, reflecting the historical and emotional depth of relations between the two countries.
Students from Al Raqiya School in Al Ain participated in bringing these traditional art forms to life. The performance demonstrated how heritage arts serve as bridges for cultural and human communication between Gulf peoples.
Visual Documentation of Bilateral Cooperation
The second segment of the celebration featured a documentary film exploring the depth of Emirati-Kuwaiti relations. The film showcased prominent milestones in the joint cooperation journey between both countries across political, cultural, and social fields, supported by archival photographs and documented testimonies.
Additionally, the visual presentation reflected the continuity of fraternal bonds between the two peoples over decades. The documentary served to educate younger generations about the historical ties that bind the UAE and Kuwait together.
Cultural Arts Performance
The third segment presented an Al Azi performance titled “Azi in Love with Kuwait,” featuring lyrics by poet Ahmed Khalifa Al Kaabi and performed by Saud Al Mansoori. Al Falah Al Ayala troupe participated in the performance, with choreography designed by Saeed Al Zaabi.
The artistic performance reflected traditional Emirati folk arts while paying tribute to Kuwait. These traditional performances serve as secondary cultural expressions that complement diplomatic and economic cooperation between Gulf Cooperation Council member states.
Heritage Festival Objectives and Cultural Significance
Festival organizers emphasized their commitment to highlighting the fraternal relations binding the United Arab Emirates with Gulf Cooperation Council countries. The celebration aims to strengthen shared values between peoples and showcase the role of heritage and folk arts in cultural and humanitarian communication.
Moreover, the event seeks to introduce new generations to the depth of historical connections between the Emirates and Kuwait. Through artistic and cultural activities reflecting authentic identity, the festival reinforces concepts of love and cohesion among Gulf peoples.
In contrast to purely diplomatic events, this cultural celebration at the Al Ain Heritage Festival provides tangible expressions of bilateral friendship through traditional arts. The integration of students and local performance troupes ensures community participation in celebrating international relations.
The Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority’s initiative demonstrates how cultural institutions contribute to diplomatic efforts. By organizing such celebrations within heritage festivals, the authority creates accessible platforms for public engagement with regional cooperation themes.
The week of Emirati-Kuwaiti relations celebrations continues through February 4 across various emirates, with additional community and cultural events expected. Meanwhile, the Al Ain Heritage Festival itself runs until February 9, offering visitors opportunities to experience traditional Emirati culture and heritage displays throughout the extended event period.
