Thailand donates 100 books to Kuwait National Library to showcase, strengthen cultural ties
The initiative has added significance as this year Kuwait and Thailand mark the 63rd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between both nations in 1963.
The Embassy of Thailand in Kuwait has donated 100 books to the Kuwait National Library to promote cultural exchange and deepen mutual understanding between the peoples of Kuwait and Thailand.
Uraiwan Courtaud, Chargé d’Affaires of the Thai Embassy in Kuwait, said the initiative will introduce readers in Kuwait to Thailand’s culture, heritage and people, while using books as a bridge to strengthen ties between the two nations.
Speaking at the handover ceremony held at the Kuwait National Library earlier this week, Courtaud expressed hope that the collection will encourage Kuwaiti readers and students to discover more about Thailand’s history, traditions and way of life.
The donated collection covers a range of subjects, including Thai culture, arts, literature and history, offering readers an insight into the country’s rich heritage, society and the stories that have shaped its cultural identity.
The books were provided with the support of the Thailand Foundation, a non-profit organization that promotes friendship and engagement between Thailand and countries around the world. The collection will be housed in the Diplomacy Hall being established at the Kuwait National Library by the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL).
Uraiwan Courtaud said she hoped the hall will serve as a platform for introducing Thai culture and heritage to the Kuwaiti public, giving students and readers an opportunity to explore the country through its literature and cultural resources.
She stressed that lasting friendship between countries depends not only on relations between governments but also on mutual understanding among their peoples. Such understanding, she noted, begins with learning about one another’s history, culture, traditions and lifestyles.
The initiative carries added significance this year as Kuwait and Thailand mark the 63rd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1963. Courtaud said the two countries had built a longstanding friendship over the past six decades based on trust, respect and mutual understanding.
She expressed appreciation to the Kuwait National Library, NCCAL, the Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Thailand Foundation and all those who contributed to making the initiative possible.
The handover ceremony was attended by Courtaud, Mohammed bin Redha, Director of the External Cultural Relations Department and the Kuwait National Museum Department, members of the Thai Students Association in Kuwait, media representatives and other guests.
Speaking on behalf of NCCAL Secretary-General Dr. Mohammed Al-Jassar, bin Redha said the donation represented a valuable cultural and intellectual addition to the Kuwait National Library, giving visitors access to Thailand’s history, literature, arts and longstanding cultural heritage.
He said the Council appreciated the initiative as a reflection of cultural cooperation between the two friendly countries and their relations built on cooperation and mutual respect.
Bin Redha added that the books will enrich the library’s collection and strengthen the content of its Diplomacy Hall, supporting its mission to promote cultural exchange, provide a window into the world’s diverse cultures and encourage dialogue, mutual understanding and closer ties among peoples.
He reaffirmed the NCCAL’s interest in expanding cultural and intellectual cooperation between Kuwait and Thailand and building on joint initiatives that strengthen bilateral relations.
Bin Redha also thanked the Thai Embassy and the Kuwait National Library for their efforts to expand the library’s holdings and enhance its cultural and educational role.
