CULTURE CORNER

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:InstagramYouTubeCredits:Host: Ksenia GraovacProject Coordinator: Farah OmraniEditing: Mohamed AminDesign: Mariam MandaniProduced by: Promenade Culture Centre 2024ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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 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 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:InstagramYouTubeCredits:Host: Ksenia GraovacProject Coordinator: Farah OmraniEditing: Mohamed AminDesign: Mariam MandaniProduced by: Promenade Culture Centre 2024ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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:InstagramYouTubeCredits:Host: Ksenia GraovacProject Coordinator: Farah OmraniEditing: Mohamed AminDesign: Mariam MandaniProduced by: Promenade Culture Centre 2024ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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 @thecarpetguykwHe 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:InstagramYouTubeCredits:Host: Ksenia GraovacProject Coordinator: Farah OmraniEditing: Mohamed AminDesign: Mariam MandaniProduced by: Promenade Culture Centre 2024ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Dr. Jawaher Al Bader is an architect, artist and art educational expert in studio-based instruction. She has a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction in Art Education with a specialisation in Studio Environment. She also holds an MFA in Painting from Pratt Institute and BArch and BFA from Rhode Island School of Design. Dr. Jawaher is also a former faculty member at Kuwait University where she taught at the Department of Visual Communication Design and College of Architecture. Dr. Jawaher is the visionary behind Art Studio Kuwait, a communal space that fosters artistic exploration and creation. The studio is a hub for creatives but also a catalyst for her own artistic journey. In this episode of Culture Corner, we discussed art education and safe spaces for art creation. Is art represented by the final product or the process we undertake to create it? Which of the two carries more importance? How is our life reflected in art and can art help us overcome everyday challenges and struggles? What shift in education is necessary to allow students to create freely and instinctively? Social Media:InstagramYouTubeCredits:Host: Ksenia GraovacProject Coordinator: Farah OmraniEditing: Mohamed AminDesign: Mariam MandaniProduced by: Promenade Culture Centre 2024ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Razan AlSarraf is an artist and educator based in Kuwait. Through painting, drawing, video and sound, she reflects on the interactions of people with land and landscape. She received an MFA in Art from California Institute of the Arts and a BFA in Fine Arts with honors from the School of Visual Arts in New York. Razan exhibits internationally, within solo and group shows in New York, Los Angeles, Singapore, France, the UAE, Qatar and Kuwait. Razan was one of the residential artists in our Visionary Lab programme and is currently at residency at Hunna Art, with the upcoming exhibition in September. Razan is one of the founders of Studio Eleven that offers workshops, seminars and art consultancies. In this episode we spoke to Razan about the essence of "artist's identity" and their role in the world. Razan shared her rich experiences creating art and carving her path as a Kuwaiti, Arab young artist in the States and beyond. Her deep interest in the surroundings and human interaction with landscape heavily influence her art as shown in the most recent exhibition she had at Sultan Gallery titled With the land. Social Media:InstagramYouTubeCredits:Host: Ksenia GraovacProject Coordinator: Farah OmraniEditing: Mohamed AminDesign: Mariam MandaniProduced by: Promenade Culture Centre 2024ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Nada is a writer and literary translator from Kuwait. She is the author of Fountain of Youth, a semi-finalist in the 2016 Vine Leaves Vignette Collection Award, and Mischief Diary from 2018, a young adult short story collection. She has collaborated with Maha Al Asaker on Women of Kuwait (Daylight, 2019), which was a finalist in the Lucie Photobook Award. Nada translated Boyhayna Al Essa's Arabic novel Lost in Mecca, which was shortlisted for the 2024 Saif Ghobash Banipal Prize for Arabic Literary Translation.Nada is also a creative writing teacher and a certified coach for creatives.In this episode we tried to get to the true meaning of the term "creativity" and how much authentic living can help us manage and maintain our creativity. We spoke of the importance of poetry and reading, as well as the lifelong impact it has on the young people finding their way in the world. Literature was always Nada's choice and we discussed the obstacles she had to pass to stay true to the path she chose.In one of her most important endeavours, Nada works with creatives as a certified coach, and helps them find ways to express themselves authentically and accomplish their creative goals.Social Media:InstagramYouTubeCredits:Host: Ksenia GraovacProject Coordinator: Farah OmraniEditing: Mohamed AminDesign: Mariam MandaniProduced by: Promenade Culture Centre 2024ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Sara Abdulla is a Bahraini architect and entrepreneur, as well as a cofounder of Dust for Experience Design, a multidisciplinary design studio specialising in injecting soul into spaces, concepts and brands. She actively engages in promoting architecture as an inclusive discipline, through creating collaborative spaces, reviving historic and cultural buildings and designing experiences, workshops and events. Sara has also created Qirtas Shop, a homegrown stationery brand and is a higher education consultant at Al Mawred Education.To our great delight, as part of Innarative platform, Sara is also an instructor at PCC's Hawally Map project - where we rediscover architectural jewels of Hawally.A traveler, thinker, and an ever engaged creative, Sara shares with us what motivates her to constantly question and explore her education and experience. Do we define the spaces or do they define us, why it is important to be on the move, absorbing experiences and cultures, and how to measure one's growth are some of the topics we discussed with Sara in the new episode of Culture Corner.Social Media:InstagramYouTubeCredits:Host: Ksenia GraovacProject Coordinator: Farah OmraniEditing: Mohamed AminDesign: Mariam MandaniProduced by: Promenade Culture Centre 2024ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Ghadeer Ali is a cultural producer and a founder of Waha. As a marketing and communications professional, Ghadeer has contributed to various companies over the years, while supporting non profit organizations and platforms. She has created Waha, a woman-led social, cultural and creative community, oriented to learning and collaboration. In this episode, we were discussing the concept of community and knowledge sharing within the community. Can one be involved with the corporate sector as a social and brand strategist, while simultaneously engaged with community needs and non profit goals? With Ghadeer, we explored what diversity contributes to our growth and whether creatives require creative rest. Social Media:InstagramYouTubeCredits:Host: Ksenia GraovacProject Coordinator: Farah OmraniEditing: Mohamed AminDesign: Mariam MandaniProduced by: Promenade Culture Centre 2024ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Maha Hassan is the longest serving radio presenter of 99.7 RKFM, producer, and talented DJ. Maha has helped transform the English station on Kuwait radio to what it is today - modern, informative, contemporary and much adored station. One can easily find a lot of followers who swear by Maha's music choices. Maha believes that music can always make your life a little bit better and her efforts in finding and promoting local talents are admirable. In this episode we've discussed with Maha if the radio is here to stay, how her work embodies journalism, marketing and music. Why are more youngsters interested in work in the radio, and how to keep your bond with the audience strong, while keeping an open mind and wide interest in all music?Social Media:InstagramYouTubeCredits:Host: Ksenia GraovacProject Coordinator: Farah OmraniEditing: Mohamed AminDesign: Mariam MandaniProduced by: Promenade Culture Centre 2024ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Eleanor Burton is a Training and Relationships Manager at en.v. Throughout her professional career, Eleanor has been devoted to capacity building of civil society organisations. Her roles in en.v include programme and training design and implementation, strategic planning, working with youth, education, etc. Eleanor is also involved in cross sector partnerships and fostering the relationships with donors and civil society. In this episode we are exploring the value and role of a community in any given society - how individuals in such communities work very hard to build resource, capacity and resilience within the community. We have discussed how long it takes to measure results within a community, how long it takes for a social change to appear and bring betterment. Most importantly, how the relationships we build with people are not transactional, our communities need deep and real connections and a personal investment. Social Media:InstagramYouTubeCredits:Host: Ksenia GraovacProject Coordinator: Farah OmraniEditing: Mohamed AminDesign: Mariam MandaniProduced by: Promenade Culture Centre 2024ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Lidia Janakievska is an architect and interior designer whose career has been tied to Kuwait for more than 35 years. In more than 42 years of international experience, Lidia has worked in a variety of sectors, including hospitality, aviation, large public works, etc. Her everlasting goal was marrying architecture with interior design for functional and elegant public spaces. Over the years in Kuwait, Lidia was involved in numerous relevant and awarded projects, such as the transformation of Salmiya Waterfront - Marina World, Marina Crescent and Tower, Marina Waves and hotel, Khaldiya campus project, Shahadia campus, Chairman's Club, etc. In her role as an educator and reviewer, Lidia worked with numerous students at Kuwait University, accentuating the need for an architect to go beyond their field of expertise - striving to learn the needs of users, research continuously, travel and keep an open mind. In this episode we visited her experiences in Kuwait and how much can one learn when entering a new culture, the important work she has been a part of, the heritage and cultural aspects of Kuwait she appreciates and the everlasting need to stay curious, learn and obtain knowledge.Social Media:InstagramYouTubeCredits:Host: Ksenia GraovacProject Coordinator: Farah OmraniEditing: Mohamed AminDesign: Mariam MandaniProduced by: Promenade Culture Centre 2024ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Chaitali B. Roy is a cultural journalist and a writer who has been a part of Kuwait's society for more than 20 years. Chaitali has written countless articles for the Arab Times, respectable newspapers in English language, covering topics in culture, arts, education, heritage, as well as personal inspiring stories of individuals and highlights from Kuwait's everyday life. She has authored a book on prominent women of Kuwait - Women of Kuwait: Turning Tides and is currently finishing another book on the topic of women who have contributed to Kuwait's society. We have also discussed with Chaitali her work as a Hindi radio host and producer, The Thursday Kashta podcast, Sadaaqa show celebrating India-Kuwait friendships, future projects and plans, and so much more Chaitali does with indomitable energy. Social Media:InstagramYouTubeCredits:Host: Ksenia GraovacProject Coordinator: Farah OmraniEditing: Mohamed AminDesign: Mariam MandaniProduced by: Promenade Culture Centre 2024ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

In this episode of Culture Corner we are searching for the answer on the importance of cultural heritage for a cultural identity of a nation, and examining our relationship to buildings. What qualities should one have to become a heritage specialist and are his or her contributions always in the shadow of other professions related to the cultural field? Zahra Ali Baba is an architect and a cultural heritage specialist who works for the NCCAL. She is involved as a consultant on the restoration of the Al Othman mosque. We asked Zahra about the historical aspects of the mosque architecture and its changes over time, influenced by social, cultural and historic elements. Do heritage sites speak to us and how patient must one be to discover what is below their surface?Social Media:InstagramYouTubeCredits:Host: Ksenia GraovacProject Coordinator: Farah OmraniEditing: Mohamed AminDesign: Mariam MandaniProduced by: Promenade Culture Centre 2024ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Rana Al Omani is an entrepreneur, fitness instructor and animal rescuer. More than 20 years ago, Rana was among the first female restaurant owners in Kuwait. Following her multiple passions, she has also started a successful fitness business, bringing many new practices to Kuwait. Nowadays, Rana runs Buongiorno restaurant and devotes a lot of her time to rescuing and nurturing animals, especially cats. In this episode we have discussed what kind of drive one must have to persevere in restaurant business, why fitness and dancing are a refuge from daily stress, and how saving cats is both fulfilling and challenging. Can one person attempt so many different paths in life and is life balance just a myth?Social Media:InstagramYouTubeCredits:Host: Ksenia GraovacProject Coordinator: Farah OmraniEditing: Mohamed AminDesign: Mariam MandaniProduced by: Promenade Culture Centre 2024ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Altaf and Sharifa are close collaborators, who, after 10 years of friendship and thriving corporate careers, joined forces when they found themselves ready to start something of their own.Both felt inspired to venture into the footwear business, one typically dominated by men, and founded THUNA. Each piece of the brand harmoniously embodies both of their personal styles and is designed with comfort and practicality in mind.In this episode we are discussing the challenges and joys of running a female business and tackling entrepreneurship as a partner duo. The founders believe that every woman needs a good pair of shoes to get her through the day and remind her to celebrate every step of her journey. Sharifa and Altaf are also discussing the hurdles they faced when they first started the company, and the organic growth of Thuna. What skills and qualities they both bring to their business, what research you need to take to make a perfect shoe, and how empowering women is embedded in the very core of their business values, as well as the inspiration they draw from the rich heritage of Kuwait, all in this episode of Culture Corner.Social Media:InstagramYouTubeCredits:Host: Ksenia GraovacProject Coordinator: Farah OmraniEditing: Mohamed AminDesign: Mariam MandaniProduced by: Promenade Culture Centre 2024ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Liane AlGhusain @lianeya is a Palestinian-Kuwaiti artist and writer. Liane is a textile artist experimenting with a number of forms, including video, sculpture, and text. Her main research interests are in the fields of mysticism, feminism, post-colonialism and science fiction. Liane holds BA and MA in English literature and creative writing from Stanford University and MFA in Art and Media from NYAD. In this episode we were reflecting on her artistic path, and how much her art is influenced by the land and people of Palestine. Prior to working on some of her most valuable art, Liane has visited Palestine. This experience was transformational and is visible in her art, her writings as well as her most recent endeavor - Stitch in for Palestine - a community meetup to learn and share the art of tatreez, an intricate Palestinian embroidery craft. Social Media:InstagramYouTubeCredits:Host: Ksenia GraovacProject Coordinator: Farah OmraniEditing: Mohamed AminDesign: Mariam MandaniProduced by: Promenade Culture Centre 2024ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Romain Danger is a French designer based in Kuwait. His experience in the Middle East allowed him to develop his skills in branding, photography, video direction, product design and more. He has worked on branding and visual identity of numerous businesses throughout the city, including the aesthetics of multiple restaurants and the Kuwait National Cinema Company. In 2021 he established Warshagraph studio with his Kuwaiti partner, the first riso printer for artistic use and he frequently organises different art and craft workshops. Romain also works in Vietnam where he established Tadang Studio. In this episode we are discussing the experiences of a young designer exposed to a new cultural and artistic setting, and how much diversity enriches our lives. Romain also shares information about his artistic and entrepreneurial ties between Kuwait and Vietnam, and bringing riso printing to Kuwait in his Warshagraph studio. Social Media:InstagramYouTubeCredits:Host: Ksenia GraovacProject Coordinator: Farah OmraniEditing: Mohamed AminDesign: Mariam MandaniProduced by: Promenade Culture Centre 2024ALL RIGHTS RESERVED