Kuwait National Museum marks diamond jubilee
KUWAIT: Celebrating its diamond jubilee yesterday, the Kuwaiti National Museum showcased 60 years of efforts in preserving the history and culture of the country for future generations.
Speaking on the occasion, Assistant Professor of Anthropology and Archaeology at Kuwait University (KU) Dr Hassan Ashkanani said that the museum was established before the arrival of the first foreign excavation teams in 1958.
The museum was supervised by Ahmad Al-Othman who attended the opening ceremony in 1957, said Dr Ashkanani who indicated that Othman handed the responsibility to Tareq Rajab, the first official director of the facility. In the beginning, Kuwaiti and foreign excavation teams were focused on the historical sites in Failaka Island, but the museum was not only dedicated for displaying artifacts from the Island, it was also dedicated to preserving Kuwaiti culture and history, said Dr Ashkanani. The Kuwaiti academic revealed that the museum’s official building was opened in February 23, 1983 after years of renting buildings and sites to display the contents of the facility. Dr Ashkanani revealed that the museum’s building was designed by Michel Ecochard, a renowned French architect and urban planner, adding that the facility had several displays showcasing the history and heritage of Kuwait, the region’s ancient history, and other artifacts and documents. In celebrations of the museum’s long history and achievements, a publication, which took five years to finish, will be issued soon with around 3,773 pictures depicting the history of the museum and its contents, said Dr Ashkanani.