Of heritage, art & architecture

Arab Times

18-05-2025

A few days ago, I wrote about the achievements of Sheikha Mai Al-Khalifa in Bahrain. I expressed hope that the National Council for Culture, Arts, and Letters (NCCAL) would reach out to her and invite her to visit Kuwait to give a lecture on her efforts to preserve her country's culture and heritage. She did this through the museums, archaeological sites, and homes that she either acquired or received as donations, and transformed into stunning historical works of art and architecture.
Kuwait has long been proactive in heritage preservation, notably when it halted the demolition of some distinctive citizens' homes, particularly those along the coastal front. These homes were acquired by the state during the period when housing units were purchased following the country's wealth surge, which facilitated the modern reorganization of the capital.
However, few of these homes and historical monuments have received the attention they truly deserve, especially when compared to the homes, museums, and monuments that Sheikha Mai Al-Khalifa has carefully preserved in Bahrain. Aside from the Red Palace and Yousef Sherin House, which was transformed into a Sadu House, Sheikh Abdullah Al-Jaber Palace (formerly the Diwaniya of Sheikh Khazal bin Murdaw), Al-Ghanim Palace (formerly the Diwaniya of Sheikh Khazal bin Murdaw), and Dickson House, the rest have been turned into diwaniyas run by their owners, and most of them lack the splendor and spirit they once held. What caught my attention on this topic was the interview conducted by Al-Qabas daily with Kuwaiti antiquities collector Fahad Al-Abduljalil.
The interview revealed his ownership of a vast collection of rare artifacts in his home, including the oldest map to mention the name of Kuwait, drawn by the explorer Niebuhr in 1776, as well as the first copy of the Constitution of Kuwait. In these times, it is especially important to highlight such artifacts in a new light to showcase to the world our undeniable historical rights. There are many other private museums owned by collectors of antiques and antiquities, such as the Nawaf Al-Asfour Museum, the Khaled Al- Abdul-Mughni Museum, the Hani Al-Asousi Museum, the Saleh Al- Misbah Museum, and others. The National Council for Culture, Arts, and Letters could collaborate with these collectors by purchasing or borrowing their items and displaying them in state-owned historic houses and diwaniyas, reviving these spaces rather than leaving them in their current neglected state. We could work with the managers of these diwaniyas to designate specific visiting hours, particularly in the mornings and on weekends, for citizens, expatriates, and visitors to Kuwait, allowing everyone to experience and learn about our rich heritage. I hope the National Library and other archaeological sites will remain open outside of regular working hours, especially on holidays, so that everyone can visit and enjoy their treasures.
In addition, I hope the NCCAL will continue to engage with officials from the Amiri Diwan to transform the historic Seif Palace, which served as the seat of government for over a century, into an open-air museum. The Seif Palace, originally established in 1904 during the reign of Sheikh Mubarak Al-Sabah, was renovated in 1961 during the tenure of Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem. The palace showcases an Islamic architectural style, enriched with distinctive elements of Kuwaiti heritage. Please note: After writing this article, I received information that the relevant authorities have approved the acquisition of Dasman Palace to be converted into a historic monument. I believe the historic Al Seif Palace would be an ideal location to house the complete collections of Kuwaiti antiquities collectors. I also propose naming the exhibition halls after these collectors, in recognition of their valuable contributions to preserving Kuwait's heritage.