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People who know the desert also know that in winter it becomes green, even blossoming. It seems that this applies not only to the desert but also to the field of music. Kuwait Music Academy (KMA), proud to be the first professional music school in the country, organizes yearly Winter Concerts for its students, their families, friends, and followers. All lovers of music are invited, as well as many distinguished guests.
Such an event was held two weeks ago at the KMA headquarters in Salwa. Due to the fact that KMA opened two new branches in Mahboula (in AlBaraka Complex) and Sabah Al-Salem (ARGAN Bedaya Complex) and the number of participants in the Winter Music Feast, KMA decided to hold six consecutive concerts starting from 9:00 a.m. to the late evening.
Embrace Your Passion is the current slogan of KMA. At the Opening Festival Concerts and evening Gala, Co-Founders of KMA, Mrs. Fajer Al Mazidi and Prof. Cezary, accompanied by Director Karol Masternak, welcomed participants and guests, mentioning that: "Talents are treasures of families, but also communities and countries." They also said that talents are as precious as diamonds. They have to be found and polished carefully and precisely to bring out their light and beauty. Such work needs excellent professionals, and KMA believes that its teachers create such a team.
Music Family
Three tiny children, Danah Ashkanani, Cataleya Amira Apodaca, and Jad Al Jawhari, inaugurated the first morning concert. Dozens of children and youth playing piano, string instruments (guitar, classical & electric, violin, viola), and wind instruments (such as flute, clarinet, saxophone), singing arias and popular, even Arabic songs, followed them in front of a changing but numerous excited audience.
They performed solo or together with colleagues and teachers, with some even accompanied by orchestral soundtracks. Teachers Mr. Karol, Mrs. Kinga, Mrs. Inna, Mr. Alex, Mr. Kamil, Mr. Dmitrii, and Mr. Viktor supported the students perfectly. Every concert was marked by warm and long applause and a common family picture. This is characteristic of KMA Concerts as well as daily work; a family atmosphere at the common 'Home of Music'. This is confirmed by facts such as the number of siblings and children of former students studying. Lastly, even the first grandchild of a Treasure of Talents program student!
Gala Concert
The Evening Gala Concert was inaugurated by the very young and talented Kuwaiti pianist, Abdullah Almutairi, along with Reyna Elisabeth Philip and the young Polish musician, Witold Masternak, who bravely continues his family tradition by playing Chopin's Polonaise. The event was highlighted by Chopin's 'Revolutionary Etude' played by Danah Ahmed Rabeea and the Sonata 'Ballade' outstandingly presented by Mr. Dmitrii, who invited guests for next Friday's Chamber Concert 'Viola Bouquet'. We hope that event will mark the beginning of new KMA activities, dedicated to music lovers in Kuwait and showcasing KMA teachers as truly excellent concert musicians.
The audience and honorary guests, including ambassadors and diplomats such as HE Belinda Lewis (UK), HE Hans-Christian Freiherr von Reibnitz (Germany), HE Eduardo Pena Heller (Mexico), HE Michal Cholewa (Poland), and Dr. Ivan Seheda (Ukraine), warmly applauded all the performers.
My 40 Kuwaiti years
Year 2025 is very special for me: it's the 40th anniversary of my arrival in Kuwait and my various activities here. Being involved in Winter Concerts from the very beginning, I was happy to observe constant development and to see the level increase. However, my admiration for diamonds' value and beauty, after the concerts, I would add to the description also - gardening. Because diamonds don't grow, as talents do. Education in general, not only musical, is like gardening. Knowledge has to be supported by passion and love. Then we can expect really good fruits.
Postscript:
KMA wants to proclaim in May 2025 the 7th Int'l Chopin Competition in Kuwait. It is the Int'l Chopin Year celebrated around the world and in Poland, also celebrating the presidency of the European Union. Simultaneously, Kuwait celebrates 2025 as the Arab Capital of Culture and Capital of Arab Media, as well as the presidency of the GCC.
It is an occasion to celebrate such an occasion also in musical fields, supporting peaceful diversity, tolerance, and rapprochement in humanity through talented young musicians of Kuwait and the world. Music overcomes any boundaries and doesn't need translation or explanation.
Written by
Cezary Owerkowicz