KUWAIT CITY, Feb 9: The National Council for Culture, Arts, and Letters (NCCAL) hosted the cultural forum titled "Thirty Years of Creativity: Culture Coverage in Facing Future Challenges" on Sunday, as part of the Al-Qurain Cultural Festival’s activities.

In his opening speech, Secretary General of the NCCAL, Dr. Mohammad Al-Jassar, emphasized that the forum is a key cultural event, not only in Kuwait but across the Arab region. He highlighted the importance of culture as a form of soft power, contributing significantly to the building of societies and fostering human and social development. Dr. Al-Jassar explained that silent culture, which reflects the invisible cultural identity of a society, manifests through customs, traditions, and lifestyles that distinguish various communities. He further noted that creativity and thought help societies address challenges—whether cultural, economic, or social—leading to sustainable development and the preservation of culture amid globalization.

Dr. Mishari Al-Naeem, a lecturer at the forum, discussed the concept of "Silent Culture: The Basis of Identity and Its Future" in a session. He referenced a writer from the 1980s who had explored the significance of architecture as a non-verbal form of discourse, considering it a silent culture. He pointed out that different cultures have varying distances between people, each with a unique "code" and symbolic language. According to Dr. Al-Naeem, slogans are also a form of silent culture.

Dr. Muhammad Al-Faisal, another lecturer, provided insights into cultural symbols that convey a people’s identity. He pointed to the ship as a powerful symbol in Kuwaiti culture, connecting the sea and the desert, and the palm tree as a key symbol in Saudi culture, representing prosperity, development, and the future.

Lastly, Dr. Muhammad Al-Haddad emphasized that a person's gestures and body language can serve as indicators of their cultural values. He explained that culture is both material and immaterial, continuously evolving. Dr. Al-Haddad also stressed that silent culture plays a fundamental role in shaping and preserving national identity.

The forum offered a platform for discussions on the role of culture in shaping identity and addressing future challenges, reinforcing the significance of non-verbal cultural expressions in modern society.