A handout picture released by the official Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) on Oct 31 shows His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (5th right), His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (6th right), and Sheikha Moza of Qatar (4th right), attending the opening ceremony of the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Grand Cultural Centre in Kuwait City. (AFP)

KUWAIT CITY, Oct 31, (Agencies): Under the auspices of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al- Jaber Al-Sabah and with His Highness the Amir in attendance, the inauguration ceremony for the Sheikh Jaber Al- Ahmad cultural center was held on Monday. Upon arrival, His Highness the Amir was received by Deputy Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Ali Jarrah Al- Sabah, Minister of Information and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Sabah Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah, Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education Dr. Bader Al-Essa and Head of the Amiri Diwan’s Financial and Administrative Affairs Abdulaziz Ishaq.Moreover, the ceremony was attended by His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, former National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim, senior Sheikhs, Deputy Chief of the National Guard Sheikh Mishaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al- Sabah, His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al- Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Sheikh Khaled Al-Jarrah Al- Sabah, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Acting Oil Minister Anas Al-Saleh and other senior state officials.Moreover, the ceremony kicked off with the national anthem followed by a speech given by the Deputy Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs. In his speech, Sheikh Ali Al-Jarrah said that today is a momentous day, as a cultural landmark, the Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Center has been opened. He added that His Highness the Amir’s attendance augments the joy of the occasion, noting that the center will be instrumental to the development of the cultural sector in the country.Furthermore, Sheikh Ali Al- Jarrah said that the nation now enjoys the fruits of its labor, adding that he is confident that similar great achievements will follow. He then thanked the country’s leadership, wishing Kuwait continued prosperity. After a short documentary and a musical performance, Their Highnesses the Amir and Crown Prince were presented with commemorative gifts.

A handout picture released by the official Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) on Oct 31 shows opera singer Andrea Bocelli performing on stage during the opening ceremony of the Sheikh Jaber Al- Ahmad Grand Cultural Centre in Kuwait City. (AFP)

Meanwhile, Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli performed Monday at the launch of a huge cultural centre in Kuwait which includes a 2,000-seat opera house, the first in Kuwait. HH the Amir opened the $750-million centre and watched a spectacular show that combined international and local music.Top Kuwaiti singers, artists and performers took part in the event which was also attended by a large number of local and foreign dignitaries. The sprawling 214,000 square meters (2.3 million square feet) centre is located in the heart of the capital Kuwait City and comprises four buildings, a theatre centre, a music centre, a conference centre and a library for historical documents.The four buildings at the centre, whose geometric design was inspired by Islamic architecture, are covered with thousands of square meters of titanium shell. Named after the late Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad, the centre has several state-of-the art halls, including a 1.200- seat concert hall, as well as an indoor parking facility for 3,200 vehicles.The project, designed by SSH firm was completed in just 22 months. His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah sent cables on Monday to Deputy Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Ali Jarrah Al-Sabah, Minister of Information and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Sabah Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah, Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education Dr. Bader Al-Essa, Amiri Diwan Advisor Mohammad Abdullah Abo Al-Hassan, Amiri Diwan Undersecretary Ibrahim Mohammad Al-Shatti, head of Amiri protocols department Khaled Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah and head of the Amiri Diwan’s Financial and Administrative Affairs Abdulaziz Ishaq for their efforts for carrying out Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Center in record time.His Highness the Amir referred to the excellent preparations for the inauguration ceremony with wonderful paintings. His Highness the Amir said that the center would boost and complete artistic, cultural and intellectual march of the dear homeland, adding that it would form a cultural and tourist landmark that attracts citizens, expats and visitors as well.His Highness the Amir wished every success for all people and prosperity and progress for the dear homeland. His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al- Hamad Al-Sabah sent similar cables to the officials.