Death of Abdulaziz Al-Suraie at the age of 87 The late writer is considered one of the most prominent pioneers of Kuwaiti and Gulf theatre

The Kuwaiti playwright Abdulaziz Al-Suraie passed away on Saturday morning at the age of 87, only a few days after a decree was issued to revoke his Kuwaiti citizenship, in a case that sparked wide controversy in cultural and media circles.

His death came amid a wave of public reaction and anger accompanying the decision to withdraw citizenship, issued on the 25th of the current month, as part of a list that included prominent figures of Kuwaiti art who, over long decades, formed fundamental pillars in building the cultural scene and consolidating Kuwait’s artistic identity.

The late writer is regarded as one of the leading pioneers of Kuwaiti and Gulf theatre. He left behind a rich creative legacy in both theatre and literature, and his works contributed to shaping a pivotal stage in the history of the theatrical movement in the country.

Throughout his career, Abdulaziz Al-Suraie received numerous awards and honors, most notably the Playwriting Award for the play “Indah Shahada” in 1965. He was also selected as Honorary President of the Arab Gulf Theatre in 1992, in addition to other local and Arab honors in recognition of his cultural contributions.

Who is Abdulaziz Al-Suraie?

Abdulaziz Al-Suraie, a writer and playwright, was born in 1939 and is considered one of the founding members of the Arab Gulf Theatre Group, as well as one of the figures who played a pivotal role in the development of Kuwaiti theatre. He presented well-known theatrical and television works, including the play “Daa‘ Al-Deek” and the television series “The Broken Pitcher”, in addition to several short-story collections.

He also held several cultural and media positions and contributed for many years to supporting the artistic movement, before later being chosen as Honorary President of the Arab Gulf Theatre, in appreciation of his long career and prominent status in Kuwait’s cultural scene.