French influence thrives in Kuwait, with Sheikh Nasser praising the global heritage of the French language.
In a grand, culturally significant event, His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, with a heart full of admiration and passion, shared his vision for a deeper connection between the State of Kuwait and the Francophone world. This passionate speech was delivered during an exquisite gathering held under his auspices, marking the culmination of Francophonie Month 2025, which fell on April 13-30.
Speaking at the residence of the French Ambassador, Sheikh Nasser celebrated the French language and Francophone culture as more than mere lingual ties. In his eyes, it's an extraordinary carrier of a rich cultural legacy that has enlightened minds and influenced civilizations through history.
Looking back on his long-standing participation in Francophone festivities in Kuwait, he expressed his immense appreciation for the significant contributions of Francophonie to contemporary global thought, fostering intercultural dialogue, and nurturing intellectual and aesthetic diversity in a globalizing world.
He praised the French language, not just for its logical precision, but also for its melodious, rhythmic musicality that graces the arts of poetry, music, and storytelling. He highlighted that the formal elegance and structural balance of French lend it a unique gravitas, particularly in political and cultural expression, giving it the power to articulate abstract philosophical notions with remarkable clarity.
Sheikh Nasser emphasized that French is not merely a language of the intellect but a beacon of refinement and beauty. From the novels of Balzac and Flaubert, the theatrical masterpieces of Molière and Corneille, to the poetic reveries of Baudelaire and Rimbaud, French has birthed a countless number of literary and artistic wonders. In fact, no other language has garnered as many Nobel Prizes in Literature. French culture continues to shape global art, fashion, and cinema, leaving an indelible mark on the world.
"Francophonie," declared Sheikh Nasser, "is not just a vehicle of words, but a noble edifice of cultural memory, intellectual refinement, and humanist values." He stressed that the French language retains a vital role in diplomacy and international discourse, gracing institutions such as the United Nations with its authority and eloquence.
His Highness reaffirmed Kuwait's commitment to cultural diversity, expressing pride in the global presence of the French language, from its windswept shores in Saint-Pierre and Miquelon to the sun-kissed islands of Haiti, and from the vast Canadian plains to the sprawling African continent.
In closing, French Ambassador to Kuwait, H.E. Olivier Goffin, commended the spirit of unity and cultural richness embodied during this year's Francophonie celebrations. He attributed the vibrant and inclusive cultural program to the Council for the Promotion of Francophonie, a collaborative effort involving 44 diplomatic missions. The "Francophonie Lives" festival, launched on April 13, merged voices from across continents to celebrate our shared cultural heritage. The Festival also embraced the spirit of inclusive cultural diversity, a philosophy embodied in the thriving presence of French in Kuwaiti schools, where over 50,000 students study French every year.
With its roots in medieval Europe and its blossoming in the Renaissance, France's intellectual heritage played a significant role in promoting rationalism, tolerance, and human rights throughout history. Modern thinkers like Simone de Beauvoir, Michel Foucault, and others furthered these debates, reinforcing France’s enduring impact on contemporary governance, equality, and individual freedoms.
- Sheikh Nasser, speaking at the residence of the French Ambassador, expressed his vision for a deeper connection between Kuwait and the Francophone world in 2025, highlighting the notions of French cultural legacy, intellectual refinement, and humanist values.
- In his speech, Sheikh Nasser noted the French language's influence on various aspects of lifestyle, home-and-garden, travel, and cultural travel, praising its melodious and rhythmic musicality that graces poetry, music, storytelling, and even political and cultural expression.
- Moreover, Sheikh Nasser outlined the French language's effect on global art, fashion, and cinema, emphasizing its unique ability to articulate abstract philosophical notions with remarkable clarity, and emphasizing its vital role in diplomacy and international discourse.
- The "Francophonie Lives" festival in Kuwait, launched during Francophonie Month 2025, was a celebration of the French language and Francophone culture, embracing cultural diversity and inclusivity, as over 50,000 students study French in Kuwaiti schools every year.
