Rana Al Omani is an entrepreneur, fitness instructor and animal rescuer.

More than 20 years ago, Rana was among the first female restaurant owners in Kuwait. Following her multiple passions, she has also started a successful fitness business, bringing many new practices to Kuwait. Nowadays, Rana runs Buongiorno restaurant and devotes a lot of her time to rescuing and nurturing animals, especially cats.

In this episode we have discussed what kind of drive one must have to persevere in restaurant business, why fitness and dancing are a refuge from daily stress, and how saving cats is both fulfilling and challenging. Can one person attempt so many different paths in life and is life balance just a myth?

Social Media:

Instagram

YouTube

Credits:

Host: Ksenia Graovac

Project Coordinator: Farah Omrani

Editing: Mohamed Amin

Design: Mariam Mandani

Produced by: Promenade Culture Centre 2024

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Altaf and Sharifa are close collaborators, who, after 10 years of friendship and thriving corporate careers, joined forces when they found themselves ready to start something of their own.

Both felt inspired to venture into the footwear business, one typically dominated by men, and founded THUNA. Each piece of the brand harmoniously embodies both of their personal styles and is designed with comfort and practicality in mind.

In this episode we are discussing the challenges and joys of running a female business and tackling entrepreneurship as a partner duo. The founders believe that every woman needs a good pair of shoes to get her through the day and remind her to celebrate every step of her journey. Sharifa and Altaf are also discussing the hurdles they faced when they first started the company, and the organic growth of Thuna. What skills and qualities they both bring to their business, what research you need to take to make a perfect shoe, and how empowering women is embedded in the very core of their business values, as well as the inspiration they draw from the rich heritage of Kuwait, all in this episode of Culture Corner.

Social Media:

Instagram

YouTube

Credits:

Host: Ksenia Graovac

Project Coordinator: Farah Omrani

Editing: Mohamed Amin

Design: Mariam Mandani

Produced by: Promenade Culture Centre 2024

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Liane AlGhusain @lianeya is a Palestinian-Kuwaiti artist and writer. Liane is a textile artist experimenting with a number of forms, including video, sculpture, and text. Her main research interests are in the fields of mysticism, feminism, post-colonialism and science fiction. Liane holds BA and MA in English literature and creative writing from Stanford University and MFA in Art and Media from NYAD.

In this episode we were reflecting on her artistic path, and how much her art is influenced by the land and people of Palestine. Prior to working on some of her most valuable art, Liane has visited Palestine. This experience was transformational and is visible in her art, her writings as well as her most recent endeavor - Stitch in for Palestine - a community meetup to learn and share the art of tatreez, an intricate Palestinian embroidery craft.

Social Media:

Instagram

YouTube

Credits:

Host: Ksenia Graovac

Project Coordinator: Farah Omrani

Editing: Mohamed Amin

Design: Mariam Mandani

Produced by: Promenade Culture Centre 2024

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Romain Danger is a French designer based in Kuwait. His experience in the Middle East allowed him to develop his skills in branding, photography, video direction, product design and more. He has worked on branding and visual identity of numerous businesses throughout the city, including the aesthetics of multiple restaurants and the Kuwait National Cinema Company. In 2021 he established Warshagraph studio with his Kuwaiti partner, the first riso printer for artistic use and he frequently organises different art and craft workshops. Romain also works in Vietnam where he established Tadang Studio.

In this episode we are discussing the experiences of a young designer exposed to a new cultural and artistic setting, and how much diversity enriches our lives. Romain also shares information about his artistic and entrepreneurial ties between Kuwait and Vietnam, and bringing riso printing to Kuwait in his Warshagraph studio.

Social Media:

Instagram

YouTube

Credits:

Host: Ksenia Graovac

Project Coordinator: Farah Omrani

Editing: Mohamed Amin

Design: Mariam Mandani

Produced by: Promenade Culture Centre 2024

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Aseel AlYaqoub is a research-based, interdisciplinary artist and writer whose work spans drawing, printmaking, video, sculpture, and installation. Her practice interrogates the complexities of national identity and post-colonial states. Through archival engagement and critical inquiry, AlYaqoub explores how political narratives and cultural memory are shaped, using her work to question inherited state-building methodologies and challenge established historical representations.

In this episode, we are exploring the idea of identity - cultural vs. national and discussing the role of the artist - is it just to visually transform ideas or is it also to seek solutions? How can one understand her or his heritage and history better through art as a tool?

Social Media:

Instagram

YouTube

Credits:

Host: Ksenia Graovac

Project Coordinator: Farah Omrani

Editing: Mohamed Amin

Design: Mariam Mandani

Produced by: Promenade Culture Centre 2024

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Fatema AlBader is an artist and educator. She is dedicated to introducing innovation in education in schools in Kuwait and the United States where she currently resides. Fatema creates her art with passion and determination, believing that in order to stay consistent with creativity, one must dedicate time to it. She is preparing for her first solo exhibition that will be hosted next year in Kuwait.

In this episode we have explored how Fatema keeps her creative practice relevant, why feedback is important for growth of both educators and artists and how innovation in education is slowly changing our perspectives.

Social Media:

Instagram

YouTube

Credits:

Host: Ksenia Graovac

Project Coordinator: Farah Omrani

Editing: Mohamed Amin

Design: Mariam Mandani

Produced by: Promenade Culture Centre 2024

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Claudia Farkas Al Rashoud is an author, a photojournalist and a cultural consultant. Claudia has been living in Kuwait since 1979 when she joined Arab Times as a first female photojournalist.

Claudia has written a number of books on Kuwait's history and heritage, captivated by the country's changing surroundings. She is also a tireless advocate for animals' rights.

In this episode of Culture Corner we are discussing Kuwait through Claudia's eyes, her efforts to document Kuwait's past and present and why caring for animals means nurturing humans as well.

Social Media:

Instagram

YouTube

Credits:

Host: Ksenia Graovac

Project Coordinator: Farah Omrani

Editing: Mohamed Amin

Design: Mariam Mandani

Produced by: Promenade Culture Centre 2024

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Dr. Shahd AlShammari is a literature professor and a writer. She has authored numerous titles, Head above water, a memoir, being the latest. Head above water was shortlisted for the Barbellion Prize for Literature.

Her research areas include illness narratives and disability studies. Dr. Shahd also conducts The Literary Mentor platform for supporting literary appreciation and offers writing workshops and masterclasses focusing on reflective and transformative writing.

In this episode of Culture Corner, we discuss her extensive writing on illness and stigma, but also the value and importance of writing in dealing with conflict or engaging in transformative and healing writing.

Social Media:

Instagram

YouTube

Credits:

Host: Ksenia Graovac

Project Coordinator: Farah Omrani

Editing: Mohamed Amin

Design: Mariam Mandani

Produced by: Promenade Culture Centre 2024

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED