What does the museum consist of?
KUWAIT: The museum comprises of numerous halls that reconstruct the history of Kuwait from that dark day of August 2, 1990 to the day of liberation, when Kuwait again became a free nation. This is accomplished by the use of light and sound effects, voice reconstructed models, paintings, photographs and documentary films. The visitor can find the following:
Visitors enter the museum and its control center through the reception hall. The walls of this hall are adorned with hand-drawn portraits of the rulers of Kuwait from the late Sheikh Mubarak Al-Kabeer to our present Amir. It also has a large map of Kuwait made of colored glass.
In this hall are voice recordings of old folk songs and miniature models of old Kuwaiti buildings. Visitors will gain insight into the ancient history of Kuwait. The main objective of this hall is to disprove Iraq’s consistent claims of sovereignty over Kuwait. The source of all records is the Kuwait Institute for Research and Studies.
Considered the main area of the museum, it narrates the story of the Iraqi invasion and occupation of Kuwait from Aug 2, 1990 until the liberation of Kuwait on Feb 26, 1991. Using special sound and light effects, it brings to life the systematic destruction by Iraqi soldiers of Kuwait’s infrastructure.
The cinema is used to screen documentary films about the Gulf War for museum visitors. With a seating capacity of 100, the theater can also be used to conduct lectures and seminars.
The main wall of this hall displays a unique 22-meter-long painting by various Kuwaiti artists that depict the atrocities committed by the invaders, the suffering of the Kuwaiti people during the occupation, and their joy at the liberation of their country. Also highlighted are paintings dedicated to the struggle of Kuwait women.
This hall describes issues related to Kuwait’s POWs and martyrs through pictures and mock-ups. It places emphasis on the negative impact the Iraqi invasion has had on the lifestyle and outlook of the Kuwaiti people as well as the rest of the society. Documents as well as pictures of badlytortured martyrs are on display that incriminate the Iraqi regime for these crimes against the Kuwait people. A special zone will be assigned for the portrayal of a life of anguish and torment the Iraqi people led under Saddam Hussein’s regime.
This hall contains information on each member of the Arab-Western coalition that contributed to the liberation of Kuwait. Touch screen computers provide additional information about the museum.
A large collection of photographs are displayed as a permanent exhibition for the public, as indelible proof of the atrocities committed by Iraq’s ruthless regime.
This section illustrates in drama form the real-life account of one of the martyrs - his capture, interrogation, torture and finally his cold-blooded murder in full view of his family. Also exhibited are many of instruments of torture used during the interrogation.
Many of the weapons used by the Iraqis during the invasion and in the Gulf War, as well as an Iraqi field command tent are displayed in the museum’s garden.
In order to keep their trip to the museum alive in the minds of its visitors, souvenirs, booklets, movies, CDs and stickers outlining the museum’s various activifies are available at the gift shop.