National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters Honors Gulf Screen Lady with Documentary Showcasing Her Career

The National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters commemorated the late Kuwaiti artist Haya Al-Fahad, known as the “Lady of the Gulf Screen,” with a screening of the documentary “A Life Story” on the evening of the day before yesterday. The film retraces more than six decades of her artistic and humanitarian contributions, coinciding with the reopening of the Dasma Theatre following comprehensive development and maintenance works.

The event featured the documentary, produced by the National Council under the patronage of its Secretary-General, Dr. Mohammed Al-Jassar, with the general vision and supervision of the Assistant Secretary-General for Financial, Administrative, and Supporting Artistic Affairs, Muaid Al-Zamil. The film was directed by Dr. Ali Hassan and prepared by Badr Al-Jazzaf.

In a speech delivered at the event, Dr. Al-Jassar emphasized that honoring the late Haya Al-Fahad is an act of gratitude to an artistic figure who left an indelible mark on the hearts of Kuwaiti and Gulf audiences, and who, over decades, contributed to enriching the artistic landscape and consolidating Kuwait’s status as a beacon of cultural and artistic creativity.

He stated that the late artist was not merely a performer who appeared on screens and stages, but a model of artistic commitment and an authentic voice that expressed society’s concerns and issues. She carried the message of purposeful art with sincerity, touching the hearts of millions and leaving a creative legacy that will remain present in the memory of generations.

He clarified that the 50-minute documentary does not merely highlight the artistic and humanitarian milestones in the late artist’s life; rather, through her rich experience, it offers a visual testimony to the emergence and development of Kuwaiti and Gulf art, as well as the artistic and cultural transformations it witnessed over the decades.

He added that the work retraces the artist’s journey from her early beginnings, through the challenges and successes that accompanied her career, drawing on testimonies from a select group of her colleagues, pioneers of the artistic movement, and archival materials documenting her most prominent works and contributions to shaping collective consciousness and reinforcing authentic values in society.

Dr. Al-Jassar noted that this commemoration coincides with an important cultural occasion: the reopening of the Dasma Theatre, one of Kuwait’s most prestigious theatrical institutions, after completing comprehensive development and maintenance works for its facilities. This step reflects a commitment to preserving cultural infrastructure and enhancing the role of theaters in nurturing creativity and artists.

He praised the strategic partnership between the public and private sectors that contributed to the project’s completion, commending the efforts of the implementing company (Al-Salam First Group) in rehabilitating the theater and presenting it in a modern architectural and artistic style befitting its historical significance and its role in the trajectory of Kuwait’s theatrical movement.

He emphasized that combining the honoring of one of Kuwait’s pioneering female artists with the reopening of the Dasma Theater embodies loyalty to the symbols of the artistic movement and a commitment to preserving its cultural heritage, alongside developing institutions and facilities that have historically nurtured talent and creativity.

For his part, Assistant Al-Zamil said in his speech that the screening of the documentary film “A Life Story” about the veteran artist Haya Al-Fahd represents a gesture of loyalty and appreciation for her artistic career, which was rich in contributions and left a lasting imprint on the hearts of Kuwaiti and Gulf audiences. He stated that Haya Al-Fahd is a pillar among the pillars of art in Kuwait and the Gulf region, noting that the film captures a sense of love and loyalty toward this towering artistic figure through testimonies from her colleagues who lived in her era and accompanied her creative journey.

He added that pioneering artists have contributed greatly to the artistic and cultural movement, and no matter how much we honor and celebrate them, we will never fully repay their debt. He expressed his gratitude and appreciation to Haya Al-Fahd’s family for their attendance and cooperation in making this documentary project a success.

In another context, Al-Zamil clarified that the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters has adopted a new strategy in recent years aimed at revitalizing theaters and enhancing the role of the private sector in operating and investing in cultural facilities, in collaboration with the Council’s Secretary-General, Dr. Mohammed Al-Jassar.

He pointed out that offering the Dasma Theater for investment represents a first-of-its-kind initiative for the National Council, with the Al-Salam Global Group, led by Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Muslem, winning the bid. Dr. Al-Muslem contributed to the theater’s rehabilitation and the development of its facilities to international standards.

The documentary “A Life Story” covers the key milestones that shaped Haya Al-Fahd’s presence in Gulf drama, highlighting the diversity of her experience in acting and writing, and the characters and artistic works she presented that have remained etched in the public’s memory across generations. The film also combines personal testimonies from artists and critics who witnessed different stages of her career with archival materials that document the evolution of her artistic journey, presenting a comprehensive human and artistic portrait of one of the most prominent figures who contributed to shaping the contours of Kuwaiti and Gulf drama.

The production of the film comes within the framework of the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters’ efforts to document pioneering creative experiences, preserve Kuwait’s artistic memory, highlight the contributions of its pioneers, and pass on their cultural and artistic legacy to future generations.