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Every time I drive across Sharq on Gulf Road and stop by the traffic light near the new Central Bank of Kuwait and across Sharq Market I see the signs for Heritage Village Project and start to wonder why it’s taking this project forever to complete. I remember I was so excited when I first read about this touristic project on the papers but that was many years ago and the project seems to be in long suspension period. So this time I decided to have a look inside and try to find someone to ask if there’s an on going issue preventing the project from being completed.

Inside I saw no one was working (well actually no one at all), the work site seemed rather deserted and all I saw was a small temporary site office so I approached it to see if anyone is there, and out of nowhere a security man suddenly appeared yelling “photos not allowed this is public property”, he kinda got me freaked at first. I asked him about the project progress and if there’s any works going on, he said the works stopped for long time and that project was there since 2005 (that’s over 7 years) but he has no idea why works were suspended. The Heritage Village initial cost was around 22 Million Dinar and covers around 82,000 sq. meter and it was supposed to envisage Kuwait past in a modern way with mud-like buildings, so it’s basically an old Kuwaiti styled village with classic shops, mosques, cafe shops, exhibition halls, a hotel… etc. 

I’m not sure who’s the main contractor and what is the underlying issue but all I know is that the project was implemented on B.O.T basis, any idea? 

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I received an email from a reader this early morning about an upcoming event at The Avenues Mall, they will basically make the first interactive map of Kuwait where people can use their smartphones to explore 300 year narrative of Kuwait’s history through picture recognition technology, sounds pretty cool.

This is the first time ever to have such an event organized in the Middle East and it will last for 17 days, I’m not yet sure how smartphones will be used for browsing the map but maybe via Wi-Fi? I’ll get more details shortly.

Where: The Avenues Mall

When: Mid November

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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]

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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]

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Our blog friend Rahul was able to get a nice aerial view shot for Kuwait city, see how the sky scrappers are rising in the center of Kuwait city with Al Hamra tower standing as the tallest.

I searched online for an old aerial view for Kuwait to distinguish among the past and present with regards to architecture.

Above is a view of Kuwait city before the age of oil,  buildings were built by mud and had high walls to reduce the heat.

The photo below was taken in 1961 at Fahad Al Salem street, and shows the old mud houses against new concrete buildings, which some of them are still standing.

Thanks [Eng. Rahul George]

3rd image via [Old Vs. New]

Click pictures below for full resolution:

  [Gallery not found]

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