With a history of more than 380 years and a rapid pace of development, which never lost sight of its heritage, Kuwait has many places of interest for both the young and the old.
Dar al-Athar al-Islamiyyah
Dar al-Athar al-Islamiyyah (DAI), The Islamic Art Museum, is a public institution based on the private collection of Islamic art formed by Sheikh Nasser Sabah al-Ahmed al-Sabah since 1975. It was loaned to the State of Kuwait in 1983 to be exhibited at Kuwait National Museum.
Over 30,000 objects of art from the 8th to the 18th century AD covering all the Islamic lands from al-Andalus, Spain to the boarders of China constitute the core of Dar al-Athar al-Islamiyyah, around which a variety of cultural activities revolve.
Public lectures, seminars, art courses, archaeological field trips, musical recitals and audio-visual programmes are introduced annually in Kuwait, to enhance the public awareness and appreciation of Islamic history, art, architecture and archaeology, along with in-house publications on objects from the collection and other areas of knowledge.
DAI also publishes a bi-monthly newsletter, Bareed ad-Dar and Hadeeth ad-Dar, a quarterly journal. Outside of Kuwait, travelling exhibitions from the DAI collection are hosted in the some of the most prominent museums in the world.
The Iraqi invasion in 1990 looted and then destroyed Kuwait National Museum and Dar al-Athar al-Islamiyyah, almost completely. However, Kuwaiti resilience to the loot and plunder has emerged the winner; the museum is in the process of being restored.
Under the auspices of the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters, DAI hosts a series of lectures on Islamic history, art, architecture and archaeology given by internationally know scholars at al-Maidan Cultural Centre (within the Abdullah Salem School in Maidan Hawally) every Monday at 7pm from September to June, except during the holy month of Ramadan. Most lectures are in English and admittance is free to the public. Please call or email for more information on 563-6561 / 6528 or info@darmuseum.org.kw.
The Arab Organizations Headquarters Building
The Arab Organizations Headquarters Building, situated outside Kuwait City in Shuwaik, blends modern architectural techniques with traditional artisan crafts. Completed in 1994, it is home to four major Arab organizations: the Arab Fund for Social and Economic Development, OAPEC (Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries), the Inter-Arab Investment Guarantee Corporation and the Arab Maritime Petroleum Transport Company.
Designed to exclude the heat while retaining as much natural light as possible, a considerable challenge, the Arab Organizations Headquarters Building stands as one of the most exciting examples of innovative architecture to emerge in Kuwait. Careful study was made of the angle of the sun's rays throughout the year in order to calculate the shape and depth of the windows in each direction. The artificial lighting has been specially designed to give the effect of daylight, adding to the overall brightness of the space.
The interior of the building reveals a treasure trove of Arab artisan crafts and design.
Considered one of the most acclaimed buildings in the Middle East, it draws thousands of visitors from across the globe.
The Liberation Tower
The symbol of Kuwaiti liberation, the unmistakable sign of the country's resurgence, the Liberation Tower is one of the tallest telecommunications towers in the world.
HH the Amir, Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, inaugurated this telecommunications tower in Kuwait City on March 10, 1996. This 372-metre structure is about 40 metres taller than the Eiffel Tower! It was named after the multinational coalition that liberated the nation from seven months of Iraqi occupation during the Gulf War. The tower has now become a symbol of resurgent Kuwait. The structure uses ceramic tiles on the facade from the base to the first mezzanine level, which is about 308 metres above the ground. Three light natural shades provide a geometric design from the base.
The tower and the telecommunications complex is divided into three working areas, A public communications centre; the revolving observation level and restaurant at 150 meters; and the adjacent plant and equipment structure.
There are 18 elevators, two of which are glass enclosed and can accommodate 21 passengers each. They are also among the fastest in the world at 6.3 meters per second. Above the revolving mezzanine, six floors of offices with a total floor space of 12,000 sq m rise up and out in a section encased in anodised aluminium, designed to withstand Kuwait's extreme temperatures.
Kuwait Towers
One of Kuwait's most famous landmarks, the Kuwait Towers are situated on Arabian Gulf Street on a promontory to the east of the City centre in Dasman. The uppermost sphere of the largest tower (which is 187 meters high) has a revolving observation area and a restaurant with access by high speed lifts. The entrance fee is 350 fils per person, or free if lunch or dinner has been reserved. Cameras with zoom lens are forbidden. The middle tower contains 1 million gallons of water.
Mosques
The pyramid-shaped mosque in Ras Salmiya and the Fatima Mosque in Abdullah Al-Salem are fine examples of modern architecture. The Grand Mosque, opposite the Seif Palace, is an example of several traditional Islamic styles using modern technology while retaining the local characteristics of Kuwait as well as preserving the Islamic tradition of calligraphy. There are several examples of mosques dating from the last century still in use around Kuwait City.
Amusement Parks and Resorts
The government's success in moulding the harsh desert environment of Kuwait can be seen in public parks as also along the sides on many main roads and boulevards. Many of the parks have amusement centres and children's play facilities. There are also several amusement parks dedicated to keeping children actively enthralled for hours at a time.
Recreational Parks
The Kuwait Touristic Enterprises Company (KTEC) manages three recreational parks: at Shaab, Sabahiya and Jleeb Al-Shyoukh. Each park features rides and amusement activities
Resorts and Chalets
Chalets and other weekend accommodation can be rented in many places along the southern part of the coast. Khiran Resort is a KTEC facility with several hundred chalets and studio flats, a yacht club and a 240-berth fully serviced marina, swimming pools, playgrounds, sports and health facilities, shops, a supermarket and coffee shops.
Sea Clubs
Many of Kuwait's sea clubs offer a wide variety of facilities and activities such as indoor and outdoor swimming pools, beaches, tennis courts, gymnasiums, bowling and even karate. Five sea clubs -- Ras Al-Ardh, B'neid Al-Gar, Bida, Shaab and Fahaheel -- are run by the KTEC. Each club has a special day or time for women and children only; Ras Al-Ardh is reserved exclusively for women and children.
The Kuwait Sea Sports Club is government-owned and has facilities for all major sea sports. There are also several private sea clubs.
Bayt Al-Badr
An old house located next to Al-Sadu house, Bayt Al-Badr was built between 1838 and 1848. It possesses a fine example of the famous front doors of old Kuwait. Local handicrafts are sometimes displayed here.
Science and Natural History Museum
The museum contains displays relating to the petroleum industry, natural history, aviation, machinery, electronics, space and zoology, as well as a health hall and a planetarium. Much of the Science and Natural History Museum has been restored since Liberation. Located on Abdullah Mubarak Street, the Science and Natural History Museum is open from 9 am to 12 noon and 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm from Saturday to Wednesday. Entrance fees are 150 fils per adult and 100 fils per child.
Liberation Monuments
The site of a bloody battle between the Kuwaitis and the Iraqis just before Liberation, Al-Qurain House is now a museum dedicated to those who laid their lives. It is situated in the new Qurain housing area. A mounted Iraqi tank at the Jahra Gate roundabout at the end of Fahd Al-Salem Street is a reminder of the folly of war. Another such monument, next to the main entrance of the Ministry of Information in Soor Street, has a walkthrough pictorial display of scenes from the Iraqi occupation and is well worth a visit. There are several other such monuments around the City and the country.
Municipal Gardens
The Municipality maintains several public gardens around the country. One of the most popular is in Fahd Al-Salem Street. All the gardens are well designed with naturally shaded areas.
Zoological Park
Located in Omarrya on the Airport Road, the Kuwait Zoo covers 180,000 sq metres of parkland. Very few of the zoo's animals survived the Iraqi occupation but through a dedicated reconstruction programme the zoo reopened in February 1993. Today it houses 65 species of animals, 129 species of birds and five species of reptiles, apart from other animals such as lions, tigers, elephants, giraffes, zebras, etc.
Musical Fountain
Located near the Ice Skating Rink on the 1st Ring Road, and badly damaged during the Occupation but now fully refurbished, the Musical Fountain provides a unique and delightful sight and sound show of musical fountains, every night during summer from 6 pm to 10 pm. Entry fees are 200 fils per adult; 100 fils per child.
Other Activities
Visitors interested in more intellectual leisure pursuits will find plenty of opportunities in modern Kuwait.
Kuwait Science Club
Open to members of all nationalities, the Science Club is situated on the 6th Ring Road. Managed by a group of enthusiastic amateurs, the Club's amazing range of facilities and the latest in scientific hardware includes the Aujairy Observatory. The Club aims at creating an informal environment where people of all ages, can develop their scientific hobbies.
Art and Artists
The government of Kuwait has, over the years, actively encouraged the development of artistic talent and has provided funding for artists to study abroad.
In Kuwait, the Free Atelier was founded in 1960 to provide technical help and professional instruction to students and its full time artists have their studios on the premises on Arabian Gulf Street. Visitors are welcome between 9 am and 1 pm every day except Thursday and Friday.
There are several commercial international art galleries in Kuwait, notably in Salhiya Complex and in Salmiya. SHE Art Gallery in Salmiya, near the Zahra Complex, displays art works by Jose Fernandez, a Spanish artist and art critic who has several other outlets in major capital cities. Those interested in Arabic themes executed by renowned Spanish, Italian and French artists, such as Marian Ribas, Calderon, Anthonio Arias, Suarez, etc, will find this shop interesting as all works are original and commissions can be accepted to order.
Theatres and Musical Societies
The first amateur plays were performed in Kuwait in 1922. In 1945, the first group of Kuwaiti drama students went to study at the Egyptian Higher Institute for Acting. When they returned, they formed the nucleus of the Acting Society. This in turn became the foundation of an extremely popular form of entertainment, playing in theatres in Kaifan, Shamiya and Dasma. In 1959, the Institute of Theatre Studies was founded in Kuwait. In the 1960s a number of theatrical troupes, such as the Arab Theatre and the Popular Theatre were founded. Today, the continuing popularity of Arab theatre in Kuwait is impressive in view of the strong competition from videos.
Before the invasion there were at least four English language theatres in Kuwait, providing a high standard of plays, pantomimes and musicals.
Established in 1952, the Kuwait Players has resurrected itself very successfully after Liberation, and puts on nine or 10 superb shows (dramas and musicals) each season. These are advertised in the daily newspapers. Established in 1948, the Kuwait Little Theatre in Ahmadi, which produced plays professionally, was almost totally destroyed by Iraqi vandalism in 1990. In 1994, the company rebuilt itself and now, with its premises refurbished, is in a position to produce musicals and dramas throughout the year, as well as its traditional year-end pantomime. The Kuwait Singers is composed of a group of music lovers. With at least a dozen different nationalities in the group at any one time, they perform a series of shows per year, and are always interested in welcoming more singers.
With a small core of active musicians, the Kuwait Folk Club welcomes newcomers. Music played is mainly acoustic European folk music and R&B using guitar, fiddle, harmonics, etc.