To celebrate the spirit of the season and the coming New Year, the International Women’s Group-Kuwait (IWG) held its annual seasonal dinner for members and honored guests, including Sheikha Suad Al-Sabah and ambassadors of Sierra Leone, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Indonesia, Guyana and Turkey on Sunday, Dec 4, 2022 at Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Ghada Shawky, wife of the Ambassador of Egypt to Kuwait and President of IWG 2022-2023, opened the event by welcoming the attendees to the beautiful atmosphere of the festive celebration, saying that the importance of this time of the year is the message of peace, love and spending time with family and friends. During this special event, Shawky said guests will enjoy celebrating the end of the season through the performances of dances from different parts of the world, featuring the varied traditions and culture of the countries. At the end of her speech, Shawky wished the attendees a Happy New Year filled with health, peace and prosperity.

The celebrations started with the screening of a beautiful video of Christmas in Bethlehem and the song “Ya Mariam” performed by Palestinian singer Lina Sleibi from inside the Church of Nativity, provided by Rima Khalidi, wife of the Ambassador of Palestine.

With the participation of the embassies of Armenia, Eswatini, Egypt, Indonesia, the Indian Anjali school of dance and Spanish performer Genoveva, the guests were treated to traditional dance performances under the title “Dances from Around the World”. They started with the Armenian dance “Mogats Harsner” translated as “the Brides of Mog” (an ancient Armenian province). Today, this dance is often performed by females during Armenian weddings. It was followed by “Kudigza”, a Swazi traditional dance, where its song means welcoming ‘Gogo’ the granny (matriarch) of any traditional home, performed by Swazi women.

“Kathak” a semi-classic fusion style dance that originated from the northern part of India - Uttar Pradesh - has brisk rhythmic movements and mild facial expressions. The Nubian “Aragid” dance is one of the oldest and most famous Nubian dances in Egypt, which is performed at Nubian weddings. Joy and dance in the life of the Nubians is the language that does not die.

The “Cilinaya” dance is one of the traditional Balinese dances which symbolizes beauty with smooth gestures depicting the cheerfulness of the girls’ youth. Finally, with the Spanish touch and the flamenco passion, Genoveva thrilled the members and guests with her goal to bring Kuwait closer to her country, Spain.

In closing, Shawky thanked the performers and all sponsors for their invaluable contribution to add joy during the festive season.  She also thanked Crowne Plaza Hotel for its permanent cooperation with the International Women’s Group, and thanked Santa Claus for bringing joy and happiness to the audience. Lucky draws and raffles were conducted with many wonderful items which also included special prizes.