The Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO), in cooperation with the Moroccan Ministry of Culture and Communication, has named the late Kuwaiti poet Ahmad Al-Adwani as the Arab Culture Icon for 2025. The announcement came during a special ceremony held Friday evening at the 30th International Book and Publishing Fair in Rabat.
The event was attended by Moroccan Minister of Culture and Communication Mehdi Bensaid, ALECSO Director-General Mohamed Ould Amar. Also present were prominent Arab poets, writers, intellectuals, and representatives from Arab diplomatic missions in Morocco.
Born in 1922, Ahmad Al-Adwani passed away on June 17, 1990. He is best known as the author of the Kuwaiti national anthem’s lyrics. His poetry has been translated into English, French, Chinese, and Spanish. Beyond his poetry, Al-Adwani played a major role in shaping the early foundations of Kuwaiti theater.
Mohammad bin Redha, Acting Assistant Secretary-General for the Antiquities and Museums Sector at Kuwait’s National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL), accepted the award on Al-Adwani’s behalf. In a statement to KUNA on Saturday, he described the honor as a well-deserved recognition of Al-Adwani’s literary and cultural legacy.
He praised the poet as a pioneer of Kuwait’s cultural and literary renaissance and a powerful Arab voice. Al-Adwani contributed significantly to strengthening national identity and cultural awareness. “Ahmad Al-Adwani was a revolutionary poet and a dedicated intellectual who believed in the power of words to enlighten and transform society,” said bin Redha. “His impact on Arab creativity is both lasting and profound.”
Bin Redha also emphasized that the award highlights Kuwait’s important role in enriching Arab culture. The continued appreciation of Kuwaiti cultural figures for their literary and humanitarian contributions is also highlighted.
He concluded by noting that this recognition reflects the spirit of Arab cooperation. This cooperation honors cultural pioneers through shared initiatives that promote a united cultural vision for the region.
