‘I Saw Kuwait’ competition honors 50 global winners in cultural-tech contest

The His Highness Sheikh Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah Informatics Award has announced the winners of the 10th edition of its popular “I Saw Kuwait” competition.

This edition was launched in collaboration with Al-Sadu House as part of the award’s Silver Jubilee celebrations and to honor Kuwait’s international recognition as a global center for the traditional craft of Sadu weaving.

Speaking to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) on Thursday, Bassam Al-Shammari, a member of the Award’s Board of Trustees, revealed that $50,000 in prize money was distributed among 50 winners. The competition drew remarkable global interest, attracting approximately 57,000 participants from 53 countries, of whom more than 38,000 qualified for a transparent public lottery, reports Al-Rai daily.

Al-Shammari explained that the entries were submitted through the Award’s official platforms and Beit Al-Sadu’s social media channels. The public draw was conducted using the international “Ruffles” program, ensuring full transparency and credibility.

He highlighted that the winners represented a wide range of nationalities, thereby enhancing Kuwait’s cultural image globally and promoting cross-cultural and intellectual exchange. The competition, he said, served as a creative bridge linking technology and heritage, attracting tens of thousands of viewers from Kuwait, the Arab world, and several foreign countries.

The Informatics Award, Al-Shammari added, remains committed to elevating Kuwait’s status as a hub of informational and cultural innovation, both regionally and internationally.

Shurooq Al-Sayegh, a member of the Board of Directors at Al-Sadu Cooperative Society, emphasized the enthusiastic public engagement and genuine interest in Kuwait’s rich cultural history. The competition, she noted, offered a joyful and meaningful way to celebrate and preserve the heritage of the Al-Sadu weaving tradition, a craft passed down with pride by generations of Kuwaiti families.

Al-Sayegh stressed that the collaboration between the Informatics Award and Beit Al-Sadu brought a unique cultural dimension, blending authentic Kuwaiti heritage with modern creative expression.

First launched in 2010, the “I Saw Kuwait” competition is part of a broader initiative titled “National and Information Culture.” Over the years, it has explored themes such as Religious and Information Culture, Information Security, Humanitarian Kuwait, Artificial Intelligence, Technological Shifts in Education, and Your Health, reflecting the evolving focus on cultural and digital awareness.