CULTURE CORNER | Podcast on RSS.com

CULTURE CORNER

by Promenade Culture Centre

Arts Society & Culture

Season 1

Yousef Abu-Ghazaleh | Kuwait Times Archivist

Yousef Abu-Ghazaleh is a content creator and archivist at the Kuwait Times. His responsibilities include creating content for the Kuwait Times Archive Instagram page, ensuring the archives are kept safe, and managing interns. In addition to his work at the Kuwait Times, Yousef is also an independent documentary filmmaker. Yousef’s work is guided by his educational background: a BA in Politics & International Relations from SOAS and an MSc in Anthropology from UCL. Outside of work, Yousef enjoys spending time with friends, travelling, and seeking out the next adventure! In this episode, we discussed what constitutes good documentary work and how unbiased one must be to deliver reality to the audience. We also discussed some of the strangest and most enthralling experiences while seeking great content. Yousef shared his passion for working in archives, especially the Kuwait Times, which has been informing Kuwait's citizens for 65 years now. Social Media: Instagram YouTube Credits: Host: Ksenia Graovac Project Coordinator: Farah Omrani Editing: Mohamed Amin Design: Mariam Mandani Produced by: Promenade Culture Centre 2024 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Shayma Bakhesh | Managing partner Kuwait Sailing School

Shayma was previously a corporate employee before discovering her love for the sea and becoming a sailor. She founded Kuwait Sailing School in 2019 with her husband. They share a deep passion and love for sailing and wanted to make the sport available for everyone. They started simply, with one boat only, and built a dream into a thriving community where people learn to sail and enjoy non-motorised watersports. In this episode we discussed the ways to stay true to yourself during the tough journey of self-discovery and self-employment. We also discussed how sailing reflects Kuwaiti traditions, heritage, resilience and environmental protection. Finally, we discussed how the sport positively affects local youth. We also covered the importance of understanding that besides teaching practical sailing, the school is a Royal Yachting Association-affiliated club that promotes a safe and supportive environment and hopes to bring more international sailors to Kuwait. Social Media: Instagram YouTube Credits: Host: Ksenia Graovac Project Coordinator: Farah Omrani Editing: Mohamed Amin Design: Mariam Mandani Produced by: Promenade Culture Centre 2024 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Shahad Alfaili and Rawan Sadeq | Alzajil Mailing Club Founders

Shahad Alfaili and Rawan Sadeq founded Alzajil Mailing Club, which started as a simple friendship tradition between the two of them. They used to write to each other while living and studying abroad. In their own words, they loved the thoughtfulness, anticipation and the personal touch that came with the handwritten correspondence. Both Shahad and Rawan are deeply connected with the community: Rawan is an engineer and a founder of Kuwait Sunrise Club, while Shahad instructs English language at Kuwait University and writes poetry. The idea of realising "snail mail" in Kuwait came naturally as they value community connections more than anything. They developed the idea into what Alzajil is today: a shared mailbox and monthly gatherings where members collect and exchange the letters in person. A different artist or creative discipline is introduced every month, making each cycle a unique creative experience. AlZajil is a celebration of slow communication and meaningful connections in a digital world. In our episode, we discussed our fascination with slow arts such as letter writing and the response AlZajil is getting from the community. We also discussed where the project is taking Rawan and Shahad and why letter writing is not only a celebration of written communication but also of language, art and community. Social Media: Instagram YouTube Credits: Host: Ksenia Graovac Project Coordinator: Farah Omrani Editing: Mohamed Amin Design: Mariam Mandani Produced by: Promenade Culture Centre 2024 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Noor Al Zabin | Owner of dar.nur.art

Dar.nur.art is an online platform showcasing the works of artists that they are excited about. The artists are represented regionally and internationally. In this digital space, clients can view, purchase work and learn about various artists. Owner of dar.nur.art is Noor Al Zabin, who has a BSc in Business Management from King’s College, London. Prior to establishing dar.nur in 2006, Noor spent 7-years in investment fund management at a financial institution in Kuwait. Noor became fascinated with artistic world early in her life and fully pursued her heart's desire to work in art. She began fulfilling her passion while traveling the world, bringing beautiful artistic pieces back to Kuwait. During these travels, she met artists and artisans, creating contacts that built the foundation for her dar.nur shop that thrived for the longest time in the Lilly centre in Kuwait. Since 2019, dar.nur.art has moved online and Noor continues to organise exhibitions and pop ups while representing artists locally and internationally. In this episode of Culture Corner we spoke about the bravery and honesty required to lead the life of an art dealer and entrepreneur. We also discussed the necessity of art and culture in our lives and the need to provide more spaces - especially public spaces - that will feature art and help support its consumption and education. Noor spoke of the initiatives and exhibitions she organises in Kuwait to promote the artists she represents and emphasized how important it is for art to also be tangible and available to the public. Social Media: Instagram YouTube Credits: Host: Ksenia Graovac Project Coordinator: Farah Omrani Editing: Mohamed Amin Design: Mariam Mandani Produced by: Promenade Culture Centre 2024 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Reem Al Shatti | Creative Entrepreneur

Reem introduces herself as a creative entrepreneur, but she is a multipotentialite - an architect, an illustrator, an owner of a fencing academy, and a competitive figure skater with a flair for the arts. In this episode we spoke of her love of fencing and her experiences as a competitive fencer. Reem has shared how her relationship with fencing healed once she started coaching youngsters in her own fencing academy that she has founded with her husband. Reem realised that her true love lies in illustration and has been working on finishing her graphic novel. We also spoke of her newly found love of skating and how much her previous experiences in sport are shaping how she approaches skating and competitions today. On the importance of creating, and sharing art, interacting with other creators and finding the balance between all parts of her personality, all in this latest episode. Social Media: Instagram YouTube Credits: Host: Ksenia Graovac Project Coordinator: Farah Omrani Editing: Mohamed Amin Design: Mariam Mandani Produced by: Promenade Culture Centre 2024 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Tim Waddell | Founder of Staged in Kuwait Productions

Tim Waddell is a Founder and Artistic Director of Staged in Kuwait Productions. Tim has been in Kuwait for over two decades, teaching, working in marketing and branding fields, as well as operations and IT, and successfully running Staged in Kuwait, a community theatre. Staged in Kuwait is a volunteer staffed theatre company where Tim oversees aspects from season planning and graphic design to marketing, directing and choreographing. He is also very keen on performing as an actor himself. How difficult is it to maintain a community theatre in English language in Kuwait, and whether it is enough to have the passion and dedication to do so, what unites people from different alleys of life to come together for SiK performances and where do creatives go after their experiences in SiK, were parts of our conversation with Tim in this episode of Culture Corner.

Maha Alasaker | Multidisciplinary artist

Maha Alasaker is a multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans photography, performance, textiles, and natural dyes. Through her work, Maha embarks on a deeply personal journey of self-discovery, while thoughtfully engaging with questions of culture, identity, and self-worth—particularly how a woman’s upbringing shapes her sense of self. Her projects have been exhibited internationally, with shows in New York City, London, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait, and her work has been featured in publications such as Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue, Marie Claire, and Rolling Stone. In 2019, Maha published her first photo book, Women of Kuwait, which was later acquired by both the Getty Research Institute and the Thomas J. Watson Library at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. In this episode of Culture Corner, we sat down with Maha to talk about the joys and challenges of being an artist, and the ongoing search for meaning—both in art and in life. We discussed her belief in lifelong learning, the importance of deepening our relationship with nature and its processes, and how she weaves these elements into her practice. We also explored recurring themes in her work, including the intersection of past and present, womanhood, and the evolving understanding of a woman’s self-worth.

Farah Bishara | Music Therapist and DJ.

Farah has been a loving music figure in Kuwait for years, setting standards and breaking barriers in what was perceived as a male dominated scene. As DJ Bonita she has also started an online records shop - Vinyl Destination, to a great community response. Farah wanted to make a different use of her classical music training, and to make a serious impact on the community. This led her to a music therapist training, and consequently, work as a music therapist in palliative care at Bayt Abdullah Children's Hospice. In this episode, we have discussed the experiences in providing services of music therapy across the hospitals in Kuwait, relations to patients and their families. We have also debated on whether our societies are ready to accept that music is sometimes an inevitable part of patient care, and how much joy and comfort it can bring to a patient. What are the ways she rests and grows and how does she cope with the emotionally taxing but also rewarding nature of her demanding job? Social Media: Instagram YouTube Credits: Host: Ksenia Graovac Project Coordinator: Farah Omrani Editing: Mohamed Amin Design: Mariam Mandani Produced by: Promenade Culture Centre 2024 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Areej Saleh | Poet and Creative Director of Artscene

Areej Saleh is a poet, and a founder and creative director of Art Scene. Her work on promoting creatives started while she was still a high school student, working with her older sister on Kuwait Poet Society. After studying in the USA, she came back with an even stronger feeling of creating safe spaces for poets, stand up comedians, creatives in general. The roots of Artscene, which she founded with a group of like minded creatives, are deeply in poetry. Today, Artscene organises the famous Open Mic nights, circles and workshops for creatives, spaces for stand up comedians, and more. In this episode we discussed the role of the poet in the modern world, and her own engagement with the audience through poetry and artistry. Also, why is Artscene so important to so many people and what kind of support do they find there? Is Artscene everything she was hoping it would be, and how to maintain a system in something that is constantly growing, without compromising the art behind it? Are playfulness and experimenting the imminent parts of art and do they define creativity as such? Social Media: Instagram YouTube Credits: Host: Ksenia Graovac Project Coordinator: Farah Omrani Editing: Mohamed Amin Design: Mariam Mandani Produced by: Promenade Culture Centre 2024 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Josh Guzman | Educator and Antiques dealer

Josh Guzman is an educator and antiques dealer who is pursuing his passion in interior design, history and culture. In this episode we discussed his road to Kuwait and how he found himself to be an antiques dealer in Kuwait. Josh was sharing with us his favourite places to look for antiques and why his love of carpets led him to be @thecarpetguykw. Initially a teacher, Josh found himself starting Kazimah carpets and selling antique carpets and rugs before settling permanently in Kuwait and starting @thecarpetguykw He now has connections with dealers around the world and is enjoying the Kuwaiti market growing in interest for the antiques. He likes to keep close connection to his customers and sense what the market would like him to offer next. Sustainability is important to him, as well as how the vintage pieces fit into your own surroundings. Social Media: Instagram YouTube Credits: Host: Ksenia Graovac Project Coordinator: Farah Omrani Editing: Mohamed Amin Design: Mariam Mandani Produced by: Promenade Culture Centre 2024 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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