“Brothers Forever”: UAE Announces Week-Long Nationwide Festival Celebrating Decades of Ties with Kuwait

From shared history and Gulf solidarity to culture, trade and people-to-people bonds, the UAE’s nationwide celebration underscores a relationship built on trust, kinship and a shared future.

The United Arab Emirates has announced a week-long nationwide festival titled “Brothers Forever,” a cultural and diplomatic celebration honouring decades of deep-rooted ties with the State of Kuwait. The initiative reflects not only the enduring friendship between the two Gulf nations but also their shared values, history, and strategic cooperation across political, economic, and cultural spheres.

Scheduled to take place across all seven emirates, the festival will feature a diverse programme of cultural performances, exhibitions, heritage showcases, youth activities, and public events aimed at highlighting the closeness of Emirati-Kuwaiti relations. Officials say the celebration is designed to engage citizens, residents, and visitors alike, reinforcing a sense of Gulf unity at a time of regional and global uncertainty.

A relationship forged in history and solidarity

The UAE and Kuwait share a bond that predates the formation of the modern Emirati state. Long before borders were formalised, communities across the Arabian Gulf were linked by trade, seafaring, family ties, and shared traditions. Pearl diving, maritime commerce, and desert trade routes created interdependent societies that relied on cooperation and mutual support.

When the UAE was founded in 1971, Kuwait was among the first countries to support the new federation, offering political backing and economic cooperation. Since then, bilateral relations have steadily expanded, shaped by mutual respect, non-interference, and a shared commitment to regional stability.

The “Brothers Forever” festival explicitly draws on this historical narrative, presenting the UAE-Kuwait relationship not merely as a diplomatic partnership, but as a familial bond rooted in shared Gulf identity.

Cultural diplomacy at the heart of the celebration

According to organisers, culture will be the central pillar of the week-long festival. Traditional Emirati and Kuwaiti folk dances, music performances, poetry evenings, and theatrical productions will be staged in major cultural venues, public squares, and heritage sites.

Exhibitions will showcase traditional crafts, attire, and cuisine from both countries, offering visitors an immersive experience into the similarities and unique elements of each culture. Special attention will be given to maritime heritage, reflecting the shared seafaring history that shaped both societies.

Film screenings and art displays will highlight how Emirati and Kuwaiti artists have portrayed Gulf identity, modernisation, and social change, while panel discussions will bring together historians, writers, and cultural figures to explore the evolution of bilateral ties.

Youth and education in focus

A key objective of the festival is to engage younger generations, ensuring that the significance of Emirati-Kuwaiti relations is understood and carried forward. Schools and universities across the UAE will host educational activities, lectures, and student exchanges focused on Gulf history and cooperation.

Youth forums and innovation workshops will explore future collaboration in areas such as technology, sustainability, and entrepreneurship. By connecting history with forward-looking initiatives, organisers aim to frame the relationship as one that is not only rooted in the past but actively shaping the future.

Economic and strategic partnership

Beyond cultural affinity, the UAE and Kuwait maintain strong economic ties. Both countries are major players in the global energy market, while also working to diversify their economies through investment in finance, logistics, renewable energy, tourism, and technology.

Trade and investment forums held during the festival week will spotlight joint ventures and opportunities for deeper private-sector collaboration. Business leaders from both nations are expected to participate, reinforcing the message that economic cooperation remains a cornerstone of the bilateral relationship.

Strategically, the UAE and Kuwait often align on regional and international issues, advocating diplomacy, dialogue, and stability. Their cooperation within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has been particularly significant in addressing shared challenges, from economic integration to regional security.

A message of Gulf unity

The timing of the “Brothers Forever” festival carries symbolic weight. As the Middle East navigates geopolitical tensions and economic transformation, the celebration sends a clear message about the importance of unity, dialogue, and shared identity among Gulf states.

By taking the festival nationwide, the UAE is signalling that its relationship with Kuwait is not confined to official channels but lives within the collective consciousness of its people. The initiative also reflects a broader trend in Gulf diplomacy, where cultural engagement and people-to-people connections are increasingly seen as essential tools for strengthening regional cohesion.

Looking ahead

As the UAE and Kuwait look to the future, cooperation is expected to deepen across emerging sectors such as clean energy, artificial intelligence, food security, and climate action. The festival, while celebratory in nature, also serves as a platform to reaffirm commitments and explore new avenues of collaboration.

Ultimately, “Brothers Forever” is more than a cultural event. It is a reaffirmation of shared history, mutual respect, and a common vision for prosperity and stability. In celebrating decades of friendship, the UAE and Kuwait are also laying the groundwork for a partnership that continues to evolve—firmly anchored in the past, but confidently oriented toward the future.