Abdulaziz Al‑Suraie: Pioneer of Kuwaiti Theater and Culture

The cultural and media circles in Kuwait and the Gulf witnessed wide interaction following the announcement of the death of the writer and playwright Abdulaziz Al‑Suraie, one of the most prominent pioneers and founders of Kuwaiti theater. Writers, intellectuals, and official institutions mourned him, recalling his long creative career and his solid contributions to shaping cultural and theatrical awareness in Kuwait and the region.

The Maker of Kuwaiti Theater Identity

Minister of Information and Culture and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Abdulrahman Al‑Mutairi mourned the late Al‑Suraie through his account on the “X” platform, saying: “I extend my sincere condolences and sympathy on the death of the late, God willing, esteemed writer and playwright Abdulaziz Al‑Suraie, one of the pillars of the cultural and theatrical movement in the State of Kuwait, and one of the founders of the Gulf Arab Theater.”

For his part, Director General of Kuwait Radio Dr. Youssef Al‑Suraie said: “The late left a beautiful legacy for everyone who loves Kuwait and its people, and for everyone who believes that literature and culture are a message, and that a person is immortalized by his morals before his achievements.”

Writer Dr. Mohammed Al‑Mutar described Abdulaziz Al‑Suraie as one of the pillars of the theatrical movement in Kuwait and the Gulf, and a central figure in building modern Kuwaiti cultural identity, through a rich and diverse artistic production that marked a turning point in the cultural scene.

Between Well‑Deserved Honor and Ethical Message

Al‑Mutar added that the late received several awards and honors during his career, most notably the State Appreciation Award in playwriting and the Cultural Merit Medal from the Republic of Tunisia, in addition to multiple honors at Gulf and Arab theater festivals. He was also a founding member of several cultural associations and participated in regional cultural committees, contributing to the consolidation of institutional cultural work.

Poet Saadia Mufarrah said: “Abu Munqidh was one of those who gave Kuwaiti theater its soul, its stage its awareness, and the word its role in questioning reality and humanity together.”

She added that the late was not a passing writer in the history of theater, but worked on it as knowledge, responsibility, and an ethical stance, leaving solid contributions that cannot be summarized or forgotten.

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Read the article in Arabic