AUK's Arabian Heritage Project Holds 3rd Annual Al-Kout Festival

The American University of Kuwait's Arabian Heritage Project (AHP) will hold its 3rd Annual 'Al-Kout Festival' under the Patronage of Dr. Moudi Al-Hmoud, Minister of Education and Higher Education on March 15-16, 2011, from 12 pm to 7/9 pm at the Salmiya Campus. The Al Kout Festival is an annual activity of the Arabian Heritage Project. It involves two days of celebrations featuring the country's heritage and traditions. Every year, the festival includes 7 hours of performances per day, car exhibit, camel rides, greeting tent, grand bazaar, Bedouin craftspeople and a great variety of other activities. Many prestigious organizations throughout Kuwait take part in the festival, including the National Museum, Youm Al Bahar, Sadu House, and leading artisans from the community. Several noted craftspeople will be giving demonstrations and there will be performances by two of the great sea bands of Kuwait (Mayouf and Bin Husseein) as well as Adani musicians, a South Indian Music Ensemble, and Premiere AUK Student Musicians and Poets. Students, student clubs, and University faculty also play a crucial role, and this year 'Al Kout' will highlight AHP student graphic design competition winners.

Under the motto of 'Where Kuwaiti Past Meets Kuwaiti Future' the festival will present a microcosm of old Kuwait where visitors from the community and students can see up close what life was like in the past. One can ride a camel, taste Kuwaiti bread cooked on an open fire, watch a carpenter make part of a boom, hear traditional poetry and listen to old sea songs. But also featured is Kuwait of the future, with modern representations featured through student production in graphic design, poetry, and creative performance. Dr. Lisa Urkevich, Director of the Arabian Heritage Project said, "This will be the most exciting Al Kout Festival yet. The National Museum and other units will have exhibits not to be missed. And not only have our student performers been working tirelessly, but our professional poets and musicians have all planned something extra special for this 50th Anniversary of Kuwait festivity. Moreover, this year we are closing the festival on March 16 with the great singer Fatoomah, and one can just feel the excitement in the air."

The Arabian Heritage Project is a center at AUK dedicated to fostering, documenting, and celebrating the traditional cultures of the Arabian Peninsula. The project is involved with a variety of traditions, including those of Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the Yemen, and related Middle Eastern countries and parts of Africa and India. The Project serves the needs of Kuwait and the region through education and outreach pertaining to a myriad of customs including music, crafts, folklore, literature, poetry, ritual, and community traditions.

The Al Kout Festival is free and open to the public. Valet parking is available at campus Gate 6.

The 'Al-Kout Festival' is sponsored by KIPCO Holding Co., Gulf Insurance Company, Burgan Bank, GulfNet and Kuwait Hotels, and KAMCO.

For more information about Al-Kout Festival, please contact:
Dr. Lisa Urkevich
Director, Arabian Heritage Project
Associate Professor
American University of Kuwait
Tel; +965-2224-8399 Ext. 410
M: + 965 6611 8298
Email: ArabaianHeritage@auk.edu.kw

Or Rehab El-Bahey,
AHP Coordinator
relbahey@auk.edu.kw
Tel; +965-2224-8399 Ext. 521
M: 99535660 .

To download pdf of enlarged poster and details [link]