A BIT OF SHINE
The Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Centre is poised to cash in on the country's rich cultural history by offering a space for a wide range of the arts.
In Kuwait City, October 2016, the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Centre (JACC) opened its doors, a remarkable piece of architecture with four jewel-shaped buildings. A total investment of USD775 million was allocated by the Diwan Al-Amiri to reshape the cultural district of the city.
The center envisions offering a broad variety of cultural outlets, providing a space for performing arts and music, but also houses a library alongside a place dedicated to historical documents. In the midst of a spacious parkland setting, the center also offers a variety of leisure activities and a restaurant district. In close proximity to the Sheikh Abdullah Al Salem Cultural Centre, the city now has two premises to build a new and modern cultural domain. The JACC was constructed over an area of 52,000sqm.
As the center is under the auspices of HH Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, he welcomed and celebrated the opening of the center. The ceremony leveraged Kuwait's cultural heritage of theater in a modern, avant-garde, and experimental tradition, and had as special guest the Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli.
Thus far, the JACC has had a line-up of both Kuwaiti and global performers, with the musical Cats as one of its flagship shows. As the Amir is vocal about youth empowerment, the JACC also provides a space for dialog and workshops on public speaking, giving the Kuwaiti youth a forum to speak. As more than a place for entertainment, the Amir wants the JACC to be a platform for educational and cultural exchange—a powerhouse for culture. In this regard, the venue fits in the New Kuwait Program, the latest strategic plan and outline for the future of Kuwait. The plan aims to lift Kuwait in international standards across the board, leveraging on a strong diversification program and empowering the youth. Opening up to the world and making the country more attractive as a tourist destination is part of that plan as well, having a world-class cultural center that is internationally appraised fits the plan nicely.
The flagship hall is the National Theatre, designed for large stage productions like opera, musicals, ballet, and dance, as well as the possibility of holding a large conference in style—with a seating capacity of 2,000. The Drama Theatre and Studio Theatre are smaller, intimate spaces, which, in addition to the performing arts, tailor to promenade events. The other signature space is the National Concert Hall, a traditional shoebox-shaped music center to accommodate all types of orchestras, bands, and ensembles. Other spaces include a recital hall, a multipurpose hall for conferences, a symposium, and cinema with a capacity of more than 1,000.
The center was designed by SSH Design, a Kuwaiti architectural firm with a broad presence in the MENA region. Chairman Omran Hayat said of the project: “We have large experience with cultural projects, but the delivery of JACC has certainly propelled us to a great international reputation in this segment of the market." Kuwait remains SSH's primary market, with Oman its second base, but over the past years it has worked in Dubai, Bahrain, and Qatar as well, whilst aiming for entry into Saudi Arabia. SSH delivered the JACC in 22 months.
With JACC, Kuwait aims to continue its legacy of the GCC's custodian of arts and culture, and to take a leading role in bringing cultural events and an appreciation of the arts to the masses. In the words of prominent media figure and former Minister of Information, Mohammad Al-Sanousi: “JACC will be a shining beacon of cultural renaissance and usher a new era of artistic movements."
A BIT OF SHINE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Guest Speaker
Dato’ Sri Haji Mohammad Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak, Prime Minister , Malaysia
TBY talks to Dato' Sri Haji Mohammad Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak, Prime Minister of Malaysia, on the growing contribution that Islamic countries are making to the global economy and how Islamic financing can offer new opportunities to industry and academia.
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HE Khaled Nasser Abdullah Al-Roudan, Minister, Commerce and Industry (MoCI)
TBY talks to HE Khaled Nasser Abdullah Al-Roudan, Minister of Commerce and Industry (MoCI), on tools and strategies for diversifying the economy, the role of international players in supporting a wider range of sectors, and the rapidly developing food industry.
read articleInterview
HE Yousef Al-Ebraheem, Advisor , Al-Diwan Al-Amiri
TBY talks to HE Yousef Al-Ebraheem, Economic Advisor to the Al-Diwan Al-Amiri, on the need for a rejuvenation of Kuwait's infrastructure to support an economy that has come a long way and the role education will play in delivering the expertise required by the society.
read articleInterview
Dr. Khaled A. Mahdi, Secretary-General , Supreme Council for Planning & Development (GSSCPD)
TBY talks to Dr. Khaled A. Mahdi, Secretary General of the Supreme Council for Planning & Development (GSSCPD), on the breakdown of Kuwait's long-term economic plan, the KPIs that will benchmark its success, and what Vision 2035 means for the nature of the economy.
read articleInterview
Sheikh Dr. Meshaal Jaber Al Ahmed Al Sabah, Director General, Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA)
TBY talks to Sheikh Dr. Meshaal Jaber Al Ahmed Al Sabah, Director General of the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA), on launching an investment promotion conference, attracting the right partners for PPP, and expectations for the year ahead.
read articleInterview
HE Dr. Mohammad M. Al-Zuhair, Executive Chairman, Kuwait National Fund for Small and Medium Enterprise Development
TBY talks to HE Dr. Mohammad M. Al-Zuhair, Executive Chairman of the Kuwait National Fund for Small and Medium Enterprise Development, on empowering young Kuwaitis, IT and entrepreneurialism, and the growth of fintech.
read articleFocus: Still all in the family?
Merchant families in Kuwait
Family-owned businesses play a major role in the Kuwaiti economy. However, with many approaching the third generation of management, they are starting to come across unique problems that may pose issues for the greater economy.
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HE Sheikh Abdullah Ahmad Al-Humoud Al-Sabah, Director, Environmental Public Authority (EPA)
TBY talks to HE Sheikh Abdullah Ahmad Al-Humoud Al-Sabah, Director of Environmental Public Authority (EPA), on how oil companies can contribute to Kuwait's vision on sustainability and the various projects that are coming to fruition.
read articleInterview
Dr. Samira S. Omar Asem, Director General, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR)
TBY talks to Dr. Samira S. Omar Asem, Director General of the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR), on commercializing the green innovations coming from R&D initiatives, the role of collaboration across multiple sectors, and projects that we should expect to see more of in the future.
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Khaled Abdulrazzaq Al Khaled, Vice-Chairman and CEO, Boursa Kuwait Company
TBY talks to Khaled Abdulrazzaq Al Khaled, Vice-Chairman and CEO of Boursa Kuwait Company, on the takeover of the Kuwait Stock Exchange and the role the bourse plays in both the privatization of government entities and as a source of capital for family businesses.
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HE Essam Abdul Mohsen Al-Marzouq, Minister, Oil & Minister of Electricity and Water
TBY talks to HE Essam Abdul Mohsen Al-Marzouq, Minister of Oil & Minister of Electricity and Water, on cooperation with other ministries, the private sector's role in energy, and upcoming regulations.
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Ghalib Shlash Safouq, Assistant Undersecretary for the Construction Projects Sector, Ministry of Public Works
TBY talks to Ghalib Shlash Safouq, Assistant Undersecretary for the Construction Projects Sector at the Ministry of Public Works, on Kuwaiti companies, the country's healthcare facilities, and the role of international companies.
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Khaled K. Al Mashaan, Vice-Chairman & CEO, ALARGAN International Real Estate Company
TBY talks to Khaled K. Al Mashaan, Vice-Chairman & CEO of ALARGAN International Real Estate Company, on drivers of growth, operating throughout the region, and real estate prices in Kuwait.
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Tawfiq Ahmed Bin Sultan, Chairman, Middle East Telecommunications Company (METCO)
TBY talks to Tawfiq Ahmed Bin Sultan, Chairman of the Middle East Telecommunications Company (METCO), on e-government potential, the future of the economy, and the state of technology uptake in Kuwait.
read articleInterview
Sheikh Yousef Abdullah Sabah Al-Nasser Al-Sabah, Director General, Kuwait Ports Authority (KPA)
TBY talks to Sheikh Yousef Abdullah Sabah Al-Nasser Al-Sabah, Director General of Kuwait Ports Authority (KPA), on his operational plans for the near future and turning Kuwait into a regional logistics hub.
read articleInterview
HE Khaled Nasser Abdullah Al-Roudan, Acting Minister, State for Youth Affairs
TBY talks to HE Khaled Nasser Abdullah Al-Roudan, Acting Minister of State for Youth Affairs, on e-platforms and blended learning programs, developing ICT skills, and preparing young people for tomorrow.
read articleInterview
Eng. Ali Hussein Al Youha, Secretary-General, National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters
TBY talks to Eng. Ali Hussein Al Youha, Secretary-General of the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters, on the activities of the Council and works to preserve and enhance Kuwait's cultural heritage.
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