Ambassador of Brazil to Kuwait H.E. Norton de Andrade Mello Rapesta held a reception to commemorate the 197th anniversary of his country’s National Day on 20 October at the Yarmouk Cultural Centre.
To commemorate the occasion, the ambassador inaugurated an art and photography exhibition organized by the Brazilian Embassy in collaboration with Kuwait’s Dar al-Athar al-Islamiyyah. The exhibition titled ‘Hope through Solidarity’, was a display of the works of artist Hadeel Khayat and photographer Thomaz Napoleao.
Kuwaiti Assistant Foreign Minister for the Americas Reem Al-Khaled was the chief guest at the function, which was attended by members of the diplomatic corps, Kuwaiti officials, special invitees and media personnel.
In his address to the gathering, the Ambassador Rapesta pointed out that the occasion was an opportunity to celebrate friendship, common challenges, objectives and responsibilities with the host country. He added that Brazil and Kuwait share the same vision in various domains, and have similar approaches towards improving the world, and making it a better place.
Touching on the exhibition, he provided some background on the nature of the exhibit, and emphasized that its message was peace, and faith in human beings. He said, “Together we can build a better world, free from war.”
Miss Khayat, whose natural talents as an artist helped her secure the first place at the Syrian national art competition in 1996, has been living in Kuwait since 2004. Since 2011, following the Syrian crisis, she has turned the theme of her paintings to portray expressions that reflect the alienation, violence and suffering.
Meanwhile, Mr. Napoleao has made a stellar career as a diplomat and documentary photographer. Currently serving as a diplomat in Moscow, his travels around the world convinced him of the need to harness the power of photography to promote cultural understanding and awareness of social and humanitarian crises.
