After Iftar
An urban oasis incorporating elements of Kuwait’s history, environment, and culture, Al Shaheed Park, which translates as The Park of the Martyr, is a tribute to those who paid the ultimate price and gave their lives for their country. The park reflects Kuwait’s vibrant and creative urban scene, commemorates past sacrifices and struggles, and provides the public with an enjoyable venue for artistic, educational, and recreational events.
Located within the Green Belt off of the First Ring Road and opposite Tijaria Tower, Al Shaheed Park consists of 200,000 square meters of botanical gardens, a lake, fountains, walkways and jogging paths, a multipurpose hall, and an amphitheatre. Two museums with their respective gift shops, and cafes and restaurants are scheduled to open soon. There is ample underground parking and entrance to the garden is currently free.
Guided tours are available and I’m greeted by the Team Leader of Al Shaheed Park Tour Guides, Abdulaziz Al Jasmi. He explains that the garden was developed by Al Diwan Al Amiri and is managed by LoYAC, a non-profit organisation that focuses on youth development. LoYAC’s general role in the park is to manage the facilities and oversee cleaning and maintenance; maintain the park’s security and safety; and create a cultural platform that supports the youth through ongoing park activities and events.
As he points out features of interest, provides relevant facts and figures, and exchanges greetings with gardeners, cleaners, electricians, and other park staff, it becomes clear that Abdulaziz is very proud of the park and that he is very happy with his job.
“I feel so lucky to work here,” he says. “I’ve learned so much about Kuwait since coming to the park, about the history and about local plants, animals, and the environment.”
Passing the lake where Arabian doves resting on bunches of reeds present a tranquil scene, we approach the Circle of Peace. This is a large open grassy area with tall shade trees and lots of wooden benches, where events such as an open-air movie night are held. Throughout the year a wide variety of activities and events take place in the park, including shows and activities for children, concerts, special exhibitions, environmental awareness events, pilates, yoga, and mindfulness sessions.
In a sunny spot nearby is a shiny, seven-meter high glass sculpture called the Martyr’s Monument. “The monument is made of glass in order to symbolize how clear and pure the hearts of the martyrs were who dedicated their lives to Kuwait,” Abdulaziz says. “The building of this monument was actually the first step taken in the reconversion plan of the park which started in 2012.”
The park, in turn, is part of a plan to reclaim the Green Belt, which was established in order to create a transition between the old city of Kuwait and the new urban expansion. Soor Street, on which the park is located, embodies the contrast between old and new with the old city gates of Kuwait standing in the shadows of towering skyscrapers. A wide underground passageway links the main body of the park with the grassy amphitheatre and Al Shaab Gate, one of five city gates on Soor Street that follow the lines of the old city wall.
Abdulaziz points out some big, old trees that had been planted in the Green Belt decades ago. “The designers of the park took these trees into account and built the park around them,” he says.
Walking paths meander between different gardens such as the Oasis Garden, the Museum Garden, the Seasonal Garden and others, with cushioned jogging paths running parallel. The park is open from 5:00 am to 10:00 pm from Saturday through Thursday, so people can come and jog and enjoy the premises before and after work. On Friday the park is open from 1:00 pm to 10:00 pm.
Abdulaziz pauses at some silveryleafed bushes blooming with masses of small yellow blossoms. “This is Arfaj, the national plant of Kuwait. It used to grow wild all over the desert but it has become very rare. I never knew that until I came to work here. Now it’s making a comeback in Al Shaheed Park,” he says.
A number of sculptures adorn the park, some of them the result of a competition involving young Kuwaiti artists. A flock of flying metallic birds in the shape of the map of Kuwait is called “Freedom” and is the work of Bader Al Mansour. “Raising our Sails” is a sweeping, abstract representation of the sails of a dhow by Munira Al Sabah, while “Map of Obstruction,” meant to be contemplated from different angles, is the creation of Ahmed Al Obaid.
The juxtaposition of the surrounding skyscrapers with vegetation and trees in this urban garden also creates interesting and artistic scenes. Looking at the massive, tall twisted shape of reflective dark glass in the background, Abdulaziz says, “I almost feel like Tijaria Tower belongs to the park, it’s such an integral part of the view.”
In contrast, the buildings inside the park blend in with the verdant landscape. Low in stature, made of both smooth marble and textured stone, and covered with plants growing on the roof, they are in harmony with their green surroundings.
One such building houses the park’s memorial museum, known as Thekra, which means remembrance. When it opens it will provide visitors with information about the history of Kuwait, its past battles, the Gulf War, and will commemorate the martyrs. In a collaboration between the museum and the public, recording booths where visitors can share their own personal memories of past events will preserve first-hand accounts of the country’s history, traditions, and culture.
The park’s second museum, the Habitat, is an environmental museum featuring Kuwait’s natural habitats and ecosystems ranging from coastal plains and lowlands, to desert plains, wadis and depressions, and escarp- ments. The exhibits are still under construction but once its doors are open the Habitat will serve as an effective and valuable educational tool. Designated areas for schoolchildren will enhance the learning experience for young visitors.
Many of the exhibits are high-tech and some are interactive. They’ll show how desert plants create vital microclimates; from what types of seeds desert wildflowers and plants grow; how the forces of nature interact with the land and with flora and fauna; how some plants live in symbiosis; which birds pass through Kuwait on their seasonal migrations; and many other subjects relating to Kuwait’s natural history. There are also words of caution about safeguarding our fragile ecosystem and exhibits showing the harmful and ugly aftermath of irresponsible desert campers.
The Habitat museum and its surrounding area is appropriately called Al Mutla’a, after the escarpment in the north of Kuwait, as it also includes the highest level of the park. This very slightly higher elevation allows us to feel a gentle breeze blowing in from the sea on this hot, still afternoon. This is an experimental area for plants, Abdulaziz explains, where different types of native desert vegetation is planted, observed to see how well it grows in an urban environment, and if successful, is transplanted to other areas of the park. Landscaping with desert plants that don’t require much water will make the park become more sustainable and look more natural.
Nearby is a large aviary, designed to serve as a rest stop for migrating birds. “There are more than 400 different kinds of birds that come through Kuwait on their migrations. That’s another thing I didn’t know before I came to the park! A pond where they can drink was made for them and vegetation that provides them with food and shelter was planted in this area,” says Abdulaziz.
The walking path curves to reveal a modern cube-shaped mosque and separate minaret made of stone on one side and natural-looking waterfalls opposite. This area is called Al Subiya and includes four oasis fountains.
In the center of the park, flanked by lush groves of mature olive trees and frangipani trees with sweet-smelling blossoms, is the Oasis Garden. Tall, stately palm trees grow in sunken basins surrounded by a shallow, rectangular lake. Fountains dance and a cool breeze comes off the water. It’s 6:00 pm and still hot in the glare of the sun but in this hidden oasis it’s shady and pleasant.
The crowning glory of this garden is the Constitution Monument. Gleaming gold and comprised of two enormous standing slabs, like a modern version of Kuwait’s old city gates, it is adorned with 183 squares that represent the 183 articles of Kuwait’s Constitution. It was erected on Nov 11, 2012, on the fiftieth anniversary of the signing of the Constitution of Kuwait.
As the sun begins to sink low in the sky and shadows lengthen, the skyscrapers surrounding the park catch the late afternoon rays in their mirrored glass surfaces. The light also hits the Constitution Monument giving the surface a bright golden glow.
After dark, the park takes on a magical atmosphere with illuminations highlighting the gardens and enhancing architectural features. The clear shining glass of the Martyr’s Memorial shines a warm golden color at night and the backdrop of towering skyscrapers lit up in different colors adds to the stunning appearance of this urban garden.
For information on the park’s calendar of events, follow them on their Instagram @alshaheedpark or see their website www.alshaheedpark.com. Activities and events will continue throughout the summer with most taking place at indoor venues.
The varied program of events aims to achieve a number of goals, among them: to promote awareness of the importance of environmental consciousness; to promote sustainable living; to provide more knowledge of Kuwait’s environment, history, and culture; to encourage community engagement; to empower local talent; to connect local and regional talent; to provide high quality cultural events; to contribute to the well-being of community members; and to encourage a more active and healthy lifestyle.
The slogan of Al Shaheed Park reflects its ambitions, “Experiencing Land, History and Culture.” As we reflect on the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Iraqi invasion this summer, connect with the local community, learn something new about this country, pay a visit to the park named in honor of those who gave their lives for Kuwait.