Arts & Culture

Architecture

Kuwait is an architect' paradise, with some of the most impressive modern buildings in the world. Impressive buildings include the
Ministry of Justice building, the National Assembly building, the Stock Exchange and the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of
Sciences (KFAS) building.

Private architecture can also be both impressive and astounding. A great deal of effort is put into building special and unique homes by
the Kuwaiti populacy. Everyone has their favorites, but one of the most unusual examples of domestic architecture in Kuwait is the
"tent house" in Abdullah Al Salem.

Sadly, little original architecture remains today. The traditional Kuwaiti style house consisted of a series of rooms built around a central
courtyard for privacy. Today few are still standing, but the Bayt Al Bader next to the Kuwait Museum is an excellent example,
showing how Kuwaiti people lived around 150 years ago. ARTS

Kuwait’s geographic location, among various cultures, has qualified her to be a fertile environment
for the growth of a folklore which has its roots and features in characteristic land and sea tales,
riddles and proverbs... together with the social formation and humanitarian activity within the
Kuwaiti environment.

In 1956 the “Folklore preservation Center” was established to collect, record and classify Kuwaiti
folklore, so that it remained a living portrait of popular excellence.

In 1982 folklores were included within the curriculums of teaching the folklore subject received by
students of the popular institutions, as for music, theatre & fine arts.

The National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters

Since its founding in 1974, the National Council for culture, Arts, and Letters has been responsible
for cultural planning, promotion, development and enrichment of intellectual production, and
providing the appropriate atmosphere for artistic and literary production. The Council assumes as
well the responsibility for disseminating culture and fine arts, the preservation and study of the
national heritage, and the fostering of humanitarian bonds and ties through cultural exchange on
Arab and international levels.

Bedouin Arts

Bedouin art is the most prominent expression of Kuwaiti folk arts and is best illustrated by the
textiles manufactured from sheep wool called “Al-Sadu.” Al-Sadu House, established in Kuwait
eight years ago as a cultural philanthropic institution, was able to preserve this handicraft.

Al-Sadu House has attracted a group of bedouin women on a permanent basis to provide a constant
supply of Sadu. Local residents and foreign visitors are always keen to own this bedouin textile in
their homes. The craft is strongly supported by HH the Amir of the State of Kuwait and senior
State officials. The Ministry of Information and other institutions find it a suitable souvenir to offer
to foreign guests.

Another prominent art is the traditional “Ardah” dance which combines the agility and manipulation
of the sword to the communal rhythm of drums and tambourines with poetry singing.

Another distinctive form of popular art in Kuwait is the sea shanty. Special songs and dances
accompany various types of work on the ship, from the moment it is being prepared for the pearl
diving voyage until it returns. The most famous sea songs are: “Al-Dawari,” “Al--Holo” and
“Al-Singhari.”

Other forms of traditional arts are the “Samri” and “Khamari” and the unique rites of the
“tanboura.” All constitute dances and rhythms that are performed, sometimes with others, at family
gatherings, socials occasions and wedding celebrations.

In Kuwait there are numerous folklore troupes performing popular dances. They receive annual
support from the government to enable them to continue playing their traditional role.

In addition, Kuwait Television has formed the Kuwait Television Folklore Troupe which has
acquired world renown in presenting Kuwaiti folklore abroad through its performances and
popular dances at various world festivals.

Formative Arts

The formative artists in Kuwait have embarked on a new phase, expanding their horizons by
participating in international exhibitions and staging special exhibitions abroad.

Cultural co-operation among GCC States was enhanced when eighteen artists from GCC countries
agreed to stage a traveling exhibition of their works which was displayed in each Arabian Gulf
capital.

Formative art in Kuwait dates back to 1959 with a modest start in Kuwait schools. Today it is
supported by the Ministries of Information, Social Affairs and Labor and by the National Council
for Culture, Arts and Letters.

The Ministry of Information plays an important role in the development of the formative art
movement in Kuwait. It holds art exhibitions within Kuwait and abroad, and publishes artist’
booklets and drawings. The Free Atelier, which is affiliated to the Ministry of Information,
provides studio facilities for full time professional artists who work in a conducive atmosphere.

The Ministry of Information arranges an annual exhibition for Kuwaiti professional artists and
ensures that they participate in cultural weeks in different parts of the world.

The Kuwaiti Society for Formative Arts, established in 1968 as a non-profit making society,
comprising dozens of Kuwaiti artists, holds an annual exhibition for its members and another for
all artists resident in Kuwait.

Amongst the greatest art celebrations in Kuwait is Benali Al-Kuwait Exhibition for Arab Formative
Artists, held by Kuwait Society for Formative Arts once every two years, many Arab artists from
the whole Arab country participated in its. As or the exhibition of 25 February, it is held marking
the occasion of celebrating Kuwait national festivals, in which the formative groups in the GCC
states participate.

On the other hand, the National Council for Culture, Arts & Letters plays a very significant role in
developing the art movement, specially after it has established the art hall, being the first hall for art
shows on the international level in Kuwait; such hall witnesses continuous art celebrations
throughout the years’s months, including individual exhibitions for Kuwaiti & foreign artists.

As well, the National Council supervises the establishment of annual exhibitions for children on
both the local & Arab levels.

The State encourages formative art through selecting and buying the paintings of Kuwaiti artists.
For this purpose it has designated an amount of ten thousand Kuwaiti Dinar annually... There is a
permanent exhibition for Kuwait formative art, established at the National Museum of Kuwait,
including the works of most Kuwait artists, as for paintings, drawings and statues and it is open
for visitors throughout the year, under the sponsorship of the Ministry of Information.

Sculpture

Sculpture started in Kuwait in 1963 when three painters, joined later by seven others, changed
their course to learn sculpture at the Free Atelier, which is financially supported by the
government. In 1970 the number decreased to four full time sculptors.

Today a clear and active trend is discernible in the advancement of Kuwaiti sculpture particularly
since the Kuwaiti sculptor Sami Mohammed won the design contest for a sculpture to beautify
Safat Square, the most famous in Kuwait, which has been renovated in a way that will preserve its
old historic features.

The winning statue represents a very big open shell, divided into three homogeneous parts, having
a height of nine meters, including within it “Dana,” i.e., a pearl, made of stainless steel, having a
diameter of one and a half meters.

The idea of shell and pearl refers to the close link existed between Kuwaiti nationals and the sea.
It is worth mentioning that Kuwaiti sculptor Sami Mohammed was awarded the top sculpture prize
as well as a gold medal for his works exhibited in the Cairo Biennale Exhibition. He also made a
huge statue of the late Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Abdallah Al-Salem Al-Sabah.

The Theatre

The theatre constitutes the mainspring of culture in the social fabric of Kuwait, adhering to
humanitarian perceptions, and realizing excellent and distinguished levels. It did not only captivate
the interest of the people in Kuwait, but also gained respect all over the world. The Kuwaiti drama
groups won numerous prizes and awards, and thus deserved to earn State confidence and support.

There are currently several theatrical companies in Kuwait. Most prominent are: the Gulf Theatre,
the Arab Theatre, the Popular Theatre and the Kuwaiti Theatre.

The Higher Institute for Theoretical Arts.

In October 1973 The Ministry of Information established the Higher Institute for Theatrical Arts to
prepare a category of artists capable of elevating theatrical arts and ethics, and disseminating
theatrical awareness and appreciation.

There are currently theatrical companies in Kuwait. Most prominent are: The Gulf Theatre, the
Arab Theatre, the Popular Theatre and the Kuwaiti Theatre.

The role of the state is not confined to presenting the financial, moral and literary support to the
theatre...but it has been to ensure the continuation of the theatrical movement in its constructive and
developed course and has provided it with all means of existence and deep-root. So, the Ministry
of Information established the Higher Institute for Theatrical Arts, starting study therein on October
1973, the first session group was graduated in 1977, with a view to qualifying a well cultured
category of artists being capable of developing the theatrical arts and literatures and disseminating
theatrical awareness & appreciation to keep the theatre, with its arts and literature, a principal
andeffective means in building the community as for the cultural and artistic aspects. More than
male and female students were graduated from the Institute, obtaining the Bachelor’s degree in
theatrical arts and others, particularly in the fields of the school theatre activity in the Ministry of
Education, in addition to others working in the agencies of the Ministry of Information and
Ministry of Culture on the level of the state of Kuwait, the Gulf area and Arab southern area.

The institute is keen of holding a cultural festival at the end of every academic year to enable the
post-graduate students to present some of their practical examinations to the public opinion.

During the outgoing period the Institute was able to present many theatrical integrated
performances for the students of the acting, directing and decoration section... from the works
selected from the Arab & world literature.

Consequently, the theatrical movement is proceeding on the academic and professional levels under
the sponsorship of the state and the supervision of the Ministry of Information.

The idea of establishing the Kuwait National Museum, to represent aspects of Kuwait’s cultural
life and heritage, and to be an important institution reflecting the country’s history and civilization
dates back to the early fifties.

Kuwait National Museum was opened on 13 December 1957, at the nearly 140 years old Dasman
Palace, as part of the Department of Education.

On 27 April 1966 an Amiri Decree was issued annexing the Department of Antiquities and
Museums to the Ministry of Information. In 1977 construction began on a new premises for the
museum, designed according to the most modern architecture and technology, taking into
consideration Arab and Islamic ways of design which suit Kuwait environment. Five years later it
was inaugurated on 22 February 1983. The building includes four galleries interconnected with
pedestrian bridges overlooking a square basin covered with metal plates.

The First Gallery

Contains the administration offices, an exhibition of old and popular heritage antiquities and
another exhibition for contemporary Kuwaiti formative arts, a lecture hall and a library.

The Planetarium

Is provided with the most sophisticated astronomical equipment; it comprises a hall containing old
astronomical devices, maps and manuscripts. The museum administration has devised local
astronomical programs, and other translated ones on space and astronomical phenomena that suit
the visitors’ culture and scientific background.

Antiquities Locations

The antiquities locations have spread over the Kuwait land and Islands having different areas,
some of which are used on a permanent basis and the other on a temporary basis; the number of
antiquities locations in the State of Kuwait are amounting to about fifty locations.

First: Kuwait Land:

1. Burgan basin - The Middle Stone Age.
2. Wadi Al-Baten - Stone Ages - Islamic Age.
3. Al-Sulaibikhat - The Neo-lithic period.
4. Al-Sebiya - Al-Ubeid period, Islamic Era
5. Qajma (Antiquities Survey), Islamic Era.
6. Um Al-Eish - Islamic Era.

Relevant Links:
Artist Thuraya al-Baqsami
Kuwait Gallery
Kuwaiti recipes