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The museum also houses the Dar Al-Athar Al-Islamiyyah (DAI), an
extensive collection of Islamic art, ranging from early Islam
to the 18th century. A variety of scholarly and artistic activities
revolve around this collection, each requiring a broad and intensive
background in Islamic history. The collection itself is organised
according to both historical period and geographical region. To
give viewers a comprehensive look at the artefacts, the reference
library and the various publications of the Hadeeth ad-Dar (the
journal associated with the collection) maintain a close conjunction
with the DAI.
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
Entertainment City : Badly damaged during the occupation
when many of its facilities were looted and taken to Baghdad,
Al-Madina Al-Tarfihiya (the City of Entertainment) is back in
business. Run by KTEC and located 20 km from Kuwait City near
Doha on the north side of Kuwait Bay, the complex provides a complete
range of amusements based on themes from the 'Arab World', the
'International World' and the 'Future World'. It is considered
one of the best amusement parks in the world, and the entrance
fee is KD3.500 per person, which covers various rides and amusements.
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.
Sadu House : Kuwait's roots are entwined with both the
sea and the desert. The bedouins lived a life governed by the
rhythm of the seasons. A traditional craft of major importance
was Sadu weaving, characterised by geometric designs woven by
hand with dyed, spun and coloured wool. Sadu weaving is still
alive in the nomadic culture, which gave birth to it.
In 1979, a few citizens got together to form the Al-Sadu Society,
dedicated to infusing this part of Bedouin culture with vitality
as well as protecting bedouin crafts from total extinction due
to the onslaught of modernisation. In 1980, their efforts led
to the establishment of the Sadu House. By the end of 1984, there
were nearly 300 bedouin women registered with the centre producing
70 products a week.
Several chambers of the Sadu House are decorated with pottery
and construction material depicting Kuwait's old houses, mosques
and storage places for water and bread. Another section has been
transformed into Al-Baraha -- a roofed playground meant for children
in the old days. Visitors can relax at Abu Adnan cafe, cosily
decorated with wooden benches and colourful woven pieces.
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