I saw this video that shows rare photos of Kuwait in the early 60′s, some are shown for the first time ever. The 60′s is considered by many the golden age of Kuwait (the boom). We can see in the video how the oil industry has kicked back then, also the modern infrastructure of Kuwait was built.
Thanks [KuwaitDiary]
I always enjoy watching short films, they help demonstrate the acting skills, the director’s talent, and screenplay quality. Latest is the short Kuwaiti film, Al Salheya, which is the 3rd Kuwaiti film that participates in Festival de Cannes. The film is by young Kuwaiti director Sadeq Behbehani, and the story revolves about a man who lost his beloved wife in year 1954 due to the heavy rain (known as Senat Al Hadama or Destructive Year), and decides to live nearby his wife’s cemetery in Salhiya for the rest of his life, touchy.
The film stars reowned Kuwaiti actor Mohammed Jaber and young actor Hamad Al Omani.
While being stuck in Hawally traffic jam last night (I hate Hawally at night) I spotted this old building that looked like a museum in Al Othman street nearby Al Othman Center, it was written Bait Al Othman Museum. I got curious to know what exactly it is and what’s inside it. As I arrived at the gate, it was closed so I went to the other side of the house and saw a management office, they said this is Al Othman House and it’s a new historical museum that will open to public shortly, it hosts art gallery and exhibitions halls.
I ask if they could give a brief tour inside but they said that I needed a written approval, they were kinda sceptic when I told them about the blog and all (obviously many are still not familiar with blogging in Kuwait). Long story short, I managed to get some photos and information about the it so bear with me.
The museum is managed by Kuwait National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters and took over two years of work, they are still working. The museum is divided into three sections;
Bait; It contains rare historical items and antiques for old Kuwaiti houses, the living room, the bride’s room, and Diwan.
Drama; Focuses on traditional Kuwaiti arts, antiques and belongings of old Kuwaiti artists. There is a theater to show classic movies and there is an art gallery.
Life Journey; Shows the chronicle of events for Kuwait development, the workmanship, the crafts and there are dhows (old ships) displayed.
It’s great to see that Kuwait is finally paying more attention for historical museums in recent years, I’m looking forward to having a visit when it’s finally open for the public.
Address: Al Othman Street – Hawally block2
Some images via [link2][link3]
I always wondered how they were able to take great vintage pictures for the past decades in Kuwait, I’m talking about the years before 1900. A friend of mine emailed me a picture for vintage cameras (see above) from Kuwait that were used in the 1890-1920 period, can you imagine how old they are? The cameras are in a good condition and I was told they are still working, Masha’allah.
They are from the brands Kodak (too bad they broke) and Polaroid which was also a former instant camera and film maker. The cameras belongs to Mr. Hassan Ashkanani, I will try to ask if I can see them in person and possibly try to take pictures using them. I tried to search google for old rare pictures of Kuwait but could only find a few, if you got any please contact me.
I always see it as I drive on King Fahad highway, when ever I visit friends in Mishref or Bayan but I never knew the story behind it, I’m talking about old Mishref Palace. A couple weeks back, myself and a friend were at the gas station nearby the palace so I said “I wonder what’s the story behind Mishref Palace and how it looks on the inside?”, then my friend was like “I know friends who got pictures if you like but I don’t know the story”.
I was so glad that there are pictures, though it took me several weeks to collect them.
The palace is currently known as Mishref Place but it’s real name is Sheikh Mubarak Al-Kabeer Palace, I was told that it was first built in 1900 as a castle, some claim that it used to be the oldest prison in Kuwait but I have my doubts about this because I can see from the pictures that the architectural design doesn’t resemble that one of a prison, plus there are many gates and entrances, windows, infact it does look like a palace.
There are numerous other stories (or should I say urban legends) about the palace and some even claims that they saw unknown smoke appear at night but nothing was ever confirmed, it all remains as ‘myths”.
The palace was totally restored later by Sheikh Abdullah Mubarak Al Sabah to be used as a guest house for presidents visiting Kuwait, it was one of finest palaces back then.
