Kuwait Culture - please explain

• I've read through this thread and there are two quite extreme points of view. People who use words like "hate" and "sucks" for both the country/its people and from Kuwaitis about their critics. I've been here just over 6 months and I consider myself to be an open minded person who believes an expat posting is only as good as you make of it. I've lived and worked abroad before, but this is my first time in the middle east. I've got friends living in Dubai and despite the traffic and cost of living, seem to be enjoying themselves doing mostly western type stuff, which is the way Dubai is manufacturing itself. Fair enough. Which brings me to my point...I'd love to hear from some locals on how they define their culture and to give me some examples of what a "tourist" or a non Kuwaiti can find or experience here that's unique to this country. I've just come back from a short holiday in Europe and in the span of a week there was so much to choose from - I visited historial sites, listened to guides about rich heritage (both noble and shadowy), listened to street musicians, ate local cuisine in outdoor cafes and watched people enjoying themselves at festivals. I went to concerts, art galleries and museums, drank the local wine merrily with friends, went to clubs and danced the night away. What I didn't do was walk around shopping malls and drink coffee at Starbucks. I had a friend visit me a few months ago, and apart from the Kuwaiti towers I honestly couldn't find much to do for her to experience Kuwaiti culture. There doesn't seem to be any festivities here, no celebration of music, pride in local cuisine. Even National Day and Liberation Day was a bit of a let down as I expected a celebration with opportunity to experience local food/music etc..instead I found kids with shaving cream and silly string being near missed on the main roads. There wasn't even a fireworks display!!
  
  I'm happy to be proven wrong and am totally open to suggestions for when future visitors come. I've been to the National Museum and although I understand it was pilfered during the invasion, lots of time has passed to put some funding into making it a great place to visit. I've been to the Martyr's Museum in Qurain and although it's an important part of the country's history, I don't think the Gulf War should define the history. I appreciate I am a guest in this country and need to make the most of my time here, so would love the feedback of locals. Is there more to this country than walking around shopping malls and driving up and down Gulf Street?

  Dee 13 Jul 2008, 08:14 - Report

Kuwait + Culture