Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to Kuwait, Her Excellency Haja Ishata Thomas has engaged the LOYAC Academy of Performing Arts (LAPA) on Sierra Leone’s cultural capability and encouraged them to collaborate with the Embassy to promote African Culture in the State of Kuwait.
LAPA is a specialized performing Art academy of LOYAC responsible for empowering talented youths in developing their skills and nurturing their passion through various programmes in the fields of theatre, dance and music.
In her statement, Her Excellency Haja Ishata Thomas thanked LAPA for providing the space to discuss on Sierra Leone’s cultural potential. She added that it was the perfect time to discuss culture since Sierra Leone and Kuwait had already ratified the Cultural and Artistic Agreement. Ambassador Ishata Thomas noted further that ever since she assumed duty her goal has been primarily on enhancing Sierra Leone’s visibility and one possible way to achieve that, she furthered, was through the promotion of culture.
“Sierra Leone has a rich cultural and historical heritage with a unique combination of interwoven norms, beliefs and traditions from diverse ethnic groups passed from one generation to another. We are here to discuss possible ways to collaborate with LAPA to sell our country’s culture and arts in the State of Kuwait. The Sierra Leone Community in Kuwait currently has a talented group of cultural professionals who are currently doing exceptionally well in the area of music, dance and performing arts,” Her Excellency stated.
Responding to the Ambassador’s presentation, the Managing Director of LAPA, Madam Fareah Al Saqqaf lauded the initiative and assured the Ambassador and team of her organisation’s readiness to collaborate with the Sierra Leone Embassy to promote culture in Kuwait. She acknowledged that LAPA appreciates the cultural diversity, which is reflected in its all-inclusive operations.
“LAPA is a combination of different cultures from around the world. Our collaborations have led us to create important artistic connections and productions with key advocates of the arts in their respective forms, and our cumulative efforts for the advancement of the arts and cultural scene has inspired us in creating an unparalleled footprint in Kuwait. In December each year, we organise a five-day programme known as the Festival of Arts and Dance (FAD). FAD is a combination of contemporary culture and art, which allows different countries to display their talents on arts with a key focus on dance. When we resume the festival, we will consider Sierra Leone,” she disclosed.
Nisreen Nasser, LAPA’s Head of Music while expressing that the goal of the institution was to creatively utilise art to achieve a course; she affirmed that they had already begun the Ocean Sole Workshop which typically involved creating art from ocean plastic, adding that the plastic recycling project would contribute effectively in protecting the environment. She concluded by stating that LAPA would welcome any Sierra Leonean who would express interest in the Ocean Sole Workshop.
The Minister Counselor/Head of Chancery, Momodu Wurie conveyed thanks and appreciation to the leadership of LAPA for the platform given to showcase Sierra Leone’s culture in the State of Kuwait. He assured of the Mission’s readiness to collaborate with LAPA with a view to foster sound cultural cooperation. He also appealed for support in other interventions, including the provision of humanitarian assistance to vulnerable youths in deprived communities in Sierra Leone.
After the engagement, the Ambassador and team visited the music and performing arts classrooms and later took a group photo with the staff of LAPA.
Cyril Barnes,
Information Attache,
Sierra Leone Embassy,
The State of Kuwait
Contact: +96599827207
