VZCZCXYZ0037
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHKU #1917/01 1441636
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 241636Z MAY 06
FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4693
INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS KUWAIT 001917 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA/PPD (CWHITTLESEY), IIP/NEA/SCA (SLECHTENBERG-KASTEN) 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SCUL KPAO KIRC OIIP XF KU
SUBJECT: SPEAKER EVALUATION: BRENDA FLANAGAN BONDS WITH KUWAITIS VIA 
AMERICAN LITERATURE 
 
Summary 
------- 
 
¶1.  GPRA FY06Q3: Dr. Brenda Flanagan, Davidson College literature 
professor and award-winning author, conducted an outstanding speaker 
program May 12-17, 2006, in Kuwait.  An American of Trinidadian 
origin, Dr. Flanagan captivated Kuwaiti audiences with readings of 
timeless poetry by noted American writers and excerpts from her 
latest collection of short stories.  She enchanted more than 500 
Kuwaiti high school and university students as well as their 
instructors with riveting dramatic interpretations of American 
literature and personal reminiscences that clarified the 
African-American experience in the 1960's and 70's.  The speaker 
also promoted study in the U.S. to student audiences and exchanged 
literary views with over 40 Kuwaiti writers, academics, and 
intellectuals.  She readily bonded with male and female Kuwaitis, 
through her inspiring readings and expert advice for improving their 
creative writing.  End Summary. 
 
American Values and Education 
----------------------------- 
 
¶2.  The primary goal of Dr. Flanagan's visit was to provide insight 
into American society and values by offering a variety of Kuwaiti 
audiences a rare exposure to American history, literary themes, and 
cultural diversity.  This program also aimed to promote study in the 
U.S., a major Embassy MPP goal. 
 
Writers under Pressure 
---------------------- 
 
¶3.  PAO hosted a tea for Dr. Flanagan and 10 leading Kuwaiti writers 
and intellectuals on May 14.  While female writers shared 
frustrations of operating in a male-dominated field, most argued 
that censorship remained the chief problem in the Arab world.  One 
prominent author complained that her books were banned in Kuwait, 
adding that she had been tried in court and suffered threats for 
publishing stories and poetry branded as too provocative by 
conservatives.  Others criticized the publishing industry that lets 
connections and personal wealth determine which writers are 
published, and raised the problem of plagiarism, whether intentional 
or founded on ignorance of IPR. 
 
Cultural Exchange 
----------------- 
 
¶4.  Former Kuwaiti Ambassador to Senegal Muhammed Al-Qadiri and his 
wife Thuraya Al-Baqsami, a well-known Kuwaiti artist and author, 
hosted Dr. Flanagan and 12 guests at a May 14 evening gathering. 
Al-Baqsami provided the speaker copies of her books in English and 
Spanish to read to her Davidson College students and expose them to 
contemporary Middle Eastern literature. 
 
Uncharacteristic Access 
----------------------- 
 
¶5.  Dr. Flanagan delivered presentations before 530 Kuwaiti 
students, teachers, professors, and writers, including: 
- 10 influential writers, 
- 128 Kuwaiti and international students and teachers at the 
Universal American School, 
- 50 female English language and literature students at the Public 
Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAAET), who are future 
English teachers, 
- 30 writers at the Kuwait Writers Society, 
- 12 writers and artists at a diwaniya, 
- 65 English Access Micro-scholarship Program students, 
- 75 English literature students and professors, including former 
Minister of Information, Dr. Saad Bin Teflah Al-Ajmi, as part of the 
Kuwait University American Corner lecture series, 
- 62 English language, English literature, and drama students during 
the first American Corner lecture at Gulf University for Science and 
Technology, and 
- 110 Kuwaiti and international students at the American School of 
Kuwait. 
 
Moving beyond the Veil 
---------------------- 
 
¶6.  At PAAET, Dr. Flanagan held a creative writing workshop with 
hijab- (headscarf) and nikab- (face veil) clad university students, 
future English teachers in Kuwait's public schools.  Through 
in-depth analysis of their readings of original poems and children's 
stories, she encouraged the eager young writers to use personal 
experience as the basis of their work to increase appeal to readers 
and promote their culture with non-Kuwaitis.  She complimented the 
fully covered Muslim women who displayed their individuality with 
delicately outlined eyes, flawlessly manicured nails, and 
extravagant handbags and shoes. 
 
Inspiring Creativity 
-------------------- 
 
¶7.  At Kuwait University, Dr. Flanagan spoke with English Department 
professors and students also destined to be English teachers about 
"The Relevancy of Poetry to Real Life -- the African-American 
Experience."  Former Minister of Information and linguistics 
professor, Dr. Saad Bin Teflah Al-Ajmi, attended the talk 
accompanied by his entire class of English literature and 
linguistics students.  Following the presentation, female students 
swarmed the speaker, clamoring, "Dr. Brenda, you are our role 
model." 
 
Impact:  Reaching Hearts 
------------------------ 
 
¶8.  Dr. Flanagan demonstrably connected with all of her audiences, 
but particularly with students and young writers.  Promising to work 
as their mentor, she exchanged email addresses with many students, 
who have kept in touch seeking further critiques of their writing. 
A number of program participants requested photographs with Dr. 
Flanagan and sought her autograph at the conclusion of her 
presentations.  Participants told EmbOffs that Dr. Flanagan touched 
their lives, invigorated their writing, and pushed their boundaries 
in a positive, encouraging manner.  Her messages appealed to 
teachers and students alike.  A few of the conservative female 
students put aside their inhibitions and fear of judgment, and 
established bonds with the speaker.  Some participants commented 
that Dr. Flanagan's approach was exceptionally effective because, 
"she reached the hearts, rather than just the minds." 
 
Acknowledging Phenomenal Women 
------------------------------ 
 
¶9. During Dr. Flanagan's readings, which included works by Robert 
Frost, Sonya Sanchez, Dudley Randall, Imamu Amiri Baraka, and Larry 
Neal, audiences joined her in reciting moving lines from Maya 
Angelou's "Phenomenal Woman."  She stressed the importance and 
contributions of quality literature as opposed to the popular trend 
of some young American rap artists who glorify drugs and obscene 
language in poetry and music, while denigrating women.  On May 16, 
she applauded the historical one-year anniversary of Kuwaiti women's 
attainment of full suffrage, eliciting resounding applause from the 
Kuwait University audience.  In her presentations and discussions, 
the speaker instantly warmed up to her audiences, effectively using 
her experiences as a penniless immigrant from Trinidad at the tender 
age of 19 to captivate young listeners.  She proudly spoke about how 
with the benefit of the American educational system matched with her 
intense dedication and hard work she was able to realize her dreams 
of becoming a published writer, which stimulated and motivated her 
audiences.  She captured their imaginations with personal anecdotes 
of interactions with a variety of acclaimed authors and notable 
figures in American society. 
 
Extensive Media Coverage 
------------------------ 
 
¶10.  Dr. Flanagan's program in Kuwait achieved broad, substantive 
media coverage.  She appeared on Kuwait TV's popular talk show, 
"Good Morning Kuwait," participated in a press roundtable discussion 
that appeared in all major Arabic and English newspapers, and held a 
one-on-one interview with Al-Rai Al-Aam newspaper.  The press 
coverage summary follows: 
 
05/17/06 
--Al-Qabas, p. 24, 1/2 page, 1 photo, circ. 65,000, Arabic 
--Al-Rai Al-Aam, p. 36, 1/2 page, 2 photos, circ. 70,000, Arabic 
--Al-Watan, p. 4, 1/8 page, 1 photo, circ. 65,000, Arabic 
--Al-Anbaa, p. 12, 1/8 page, 1 photo, circ. 40,000, Arabic 
--Kuwait Times, p. 8, 1/8 page, 1 photo, circ. 35,000, English 
--Al-Seyassah, p. 4, 1/16 page, circ. 45,000, Arabic 
 
05/20/06 
--Al-Rai Al-Aam, p. 17, 1/4 page, 2 photos, circ. 70,000, Arabic 
--Al-Qabas, p. 42, 1/8 page, 1 photo, circ. 65,000, Arabic 
 
Outstanding Speaker -- Excellent Results 
---------------------------------------- 
 
¶11.  Embassy thanks IIP for arranging Dr. Flanagan's visit to 
Kuwait.  As a U.S. Speaker, she was trouble-free and fun to work 
with, facilely engaged key Mission contacts, astutely drew 
connections between American history and experiences of the local 
audiences, and demonstrated enviable finesse with the press.  We 
highly recommend this adept cultural ambassador to posts developing 
American studies and American Corner programs, or conducting 
outreach to youth and writers. 
 
Cost Sharing 
------------ 
 
 
¶11.  IIP used Post's I-Bucks allocation to fund Dr. Flanagan's 
visit.  Embassy Public Affairs representational funds supplemented 
the program and Kuwaiti partners hosted evening gatherings and 
events. 
 
LEBARON