France awards Dr. Souad Al-Sabah the Order of Arts and Letters
. . . honoring a lifetime of cultural and intellectual contribution
By Shouq AlMulla
Special to The Times Kuwait
France, through the French Ministry of Culture, has awarded Sheikha Dr. Souad Al-Sabah the prestigious Order of Arts and Letters (Ordre des Arts et des Lettres) at the rank of Officer, in recognition of her lifelong contributions to culture, literature, and intellectual thought.
The honor, conferred on Sunday, reflects the strength of Franco-Kuwaiti cultural relations and underscores the growing partnership between Kuwait and France in the fields of arts, literature, and cultural exchange. It also reaffirms France’s commitment to celebrating global cultural figures whose work has enriched not only French cultural life, but world culture at large.
Established in 1957 by France’s Minister of Culture, the (Ordre des Arts et des Lettres) is one of France’s most distinguished cultural decorations. It is awarded to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the arts, literature, or the promotion of culture internationally, and comprises three ranks: Knight, Officer, and Commander.
The Officer rank is the second-highest distinction which is reserved for eminent artists, writers, intellectuals, and cultural leaders, reflecting the sustained impact of her work and her enduring contributions and placing her among a select group of international figures recognized by the French Ministry of Culture.
Sheikha Dr. Souad Al-Sabah has previously been honored by France, having received the Knight of the Legion of Honor (Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur) in 2017, France’s highest civilian decoration, in recognition of her distinguished cultural and intellectual contributions.
Her cultural engagement with France has been longstanding. She has been honored by the Paris Book Fair (Salon du Livre), celebrated by the Arab World Institute (Institut du Monde Arabe – IMA) in Paris, and recognized for her role in strengthening Franco-Arab and Franco-Kuwaiti cultural exchange. The presence of her works in French literary circles has contributed meaningfully to dialogue between Arab and European intellectual traditions.
An esteemed economist, poet, intellectual, businesswoman, mother, and human rights advocate, Sheikha Dr. Souad Al-Sabah is widely regarded as one of Kuwait’s most influential cultural figures of the past five decades.
Her literary voice has played a pioneering role in modern Arabic poetry, particularly in advancing themes of women’s rights, freedom, dignity, and social justice. Her poetry and writings, many of which have been translated into French have resonated with audiences far beyond the Arab world, strengthening cultural dialogue between Kuwait, France, and the international community.
Her contributions extend well beyond literature. As the first Kuwaiti woman to earn a doctorate in Economics, Dr. Al-Sabah has combined academic, literary, and public engagement to shape social awareness and document key moments in Kuwait’s intellectual and cultural history.
Through the establishment of Dar Suad Al-Sabah for Publishing, followed by the Suad Al-Sabah Foundation for Intellectual Creativity, she created lasting platforms that have supported generations of Arab writers, poets, researchers, and thinkers. These institutions have played a vital role in preserving the Arabic language, nurturing creativity, and promoting Arab culture internationally.
France’s recognition of Sheikha Dr. Souad Al-Sabah affirms the enduring power of literature, art, and ideas, and celebrates a Kuwaiti cultural icon whose work has bridged civilizations, inspired generations, and further strengthened the cultural partnership between Kuwait and France.
