Art, music and personal experiences took centre stage at an Argentine National Day celebration hosted by the Embassy of Argentina at Dar al-Athar al-Islamiyyah, highlighting the role of cultural exchange in strengthening friendship between Argentina and Kuwait.
Argentine Ambassador to Kuwait H.E. Ramiro Velloso emphasised the importance of art and music in bringing people together and deepening ties between the two countries. He said the national day celebration offered an opportunity to introduce audiences to Argentina’s culture and heritage while celebrating the longstanding friendship between the two nations.
The event brought together a large gathering of ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps, members of the Argentine community in Kuwait and friends of Argentina. The programme offered guests an introduction to Argentina through visual art, personal experiences and music. Kuwaiti artist Nadia Al-Abdulghafour exhibited paintings inspired by Mendoza, Argentina, while Shahad Al-Zaabi shared her experience of reaching the summit of Mount Aconcagua, one of the country’s most prominent natural landmarks.
The musical programme featured the Kuwait Music Academy Orchestra, led and organised by Victor Schramko. The ensemble brought together around 22 musicians, including four Kuwaitis, and performed three pieces, including the Argentine national anthem and “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina”, famously associated with the film Evita, alongside a third musical work featured in the programme.
Schramko said the orchestra was established last year to give young musicians in Kuwait opportunities to develop their skills in ensemble playing and gain experience performing as part of an orchestra. He noted that the participating Kuwaiti musicians had shown considerable enthusiasm and made significant progress through a year of joint rehearsals.
He described music as a universal language that transcends linguistic and cultural barriers, enabling people from different countries to communicate and connect even when they do not speak the same language. Music, he added, allows people to interact, set differences aside and build mutual understanding.
Kuwaiti artist draws inspiration from Argentina
Al-Abdulghafour presented a collection of paintings inspired by her visit to Argentina, explaining that the experience had left a lasting impression on her.
She said the country’s exceptional landscapes, rich colours, vast open spaces and striking natural diversity continued to inspire her after returning to Kuwait. The memories of the journey became a source of inspiration for her artistic work.
Her paintings, she explained, go beyond reproducing the scenes she encountered. Instead, they seek to capture the feelings and impressions the country left with her, including its atmosphere, light, mountains, vineyards and landscapes, which combine grandeur with tranquillity. Expressing her pleasure at participating in the exhibition, Al-Abdulghafour said she was proud to share her paintings with the audience and convey, through her work, the beauty of Argentina and the lasting impact of its natural surroundings.
The evening concluded with a celebration combining visual art, music and personal stories, giving guests an opportunity to discover Argentina through the creativity and experiences of artists and musicians. The programme underscored how cultural initiatives can foster human connections and strengthen friendship between Argentina and Kuwait.
Photos: Courtesy Dar Al Athar Al-Islamiyyah
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