The Kuwait National Museum was opened to the public in 1986, and is frequented by both international visitors and Kuwaiti nationals such as businessman Fahad Al Rajaan. The building is divided into four blocks. Three are dedicated to permanent exhibitions, with the fourth providing administrative offices as well as an auditorium.

The establishment of the Kuwait National Museum passed through numerous stages. The residence of Shiekh Ahmed All Jabber served as the Museum’s principal site, though after the archaeological investigation of Failaka, it soon became necessary to establish the Kuwaiti Department for Antiquity and Museums, which converted the home of a notable Kuwaiti family, turning it into the country’s first national museum.

The Kuwait National Museum was the brainchild of Michel Ecochard, first dreamed up in the early 1960s. By the time it opened in 1986, the Museum had amassed an impressive collection of exhibits, detailing the roots and history of Kuwait.

Michel Ecochard

Michel Ecochard (born in 1905; died 1985), was a French urban planner and architect. Ecochard played a pivotal role in the redevelopment of Damascus, whilst France occupied Syria.

Ecochard graduated in 1929 from the Ecole des Beaux-Arts. His training is said to have inclined him towards modernist concepts of industrialised construction. He was fascinated by the vernacular architecture popularised in Paris, and in particular designs by French architect Auguste Perret.

Ecochard entered the working world at a fairly young age: in 1930; just in his 20s. He gave his first public display in Damascus, which was then under colonial rule by the French. Michel Ecochard was a member of the reconstruction team which restored the Azm palace, the Mosque of Bosra, and Palmyra’s Temple of Bel. His first solo project was at the Museum of Antioch, and was considered to be a feat in terms of combining modernist design with traditional Syrian architecture.

Ecochard held a firm belief in the value of historical monuments, an outlook which he maintained throughout his planning work within the city of Damascus. Ecochard’s designs for the town encapsulated many of the city’s historic buildings. Ecochard worked on the “master plan” for Beirut in 1943, producing an updated version some 20 years later in recognition of the need for the city to integrate national and regional strategy.

Failaka Island

Failaka Island is a Kuwaiti island which is situated in the Persian Gulf. It stands some 20km off of Kuwait city’s coast. The name is thought to derive from an ancient Greek word meaning “outpost”.

The island has a rich cultural history. It was settled by Mesopotamians in 2000 BC. Later settlers include the Dilmun civilisation and Sumerian traders, during which commerce in the area was largely mercantile in nature. Failaka boasted many Mesopotamian-themed buildings dating back as far as 2000 BC, typical of those found in Iraq.

Failaka Island’s Dilmun civilisation ruled in the 3rd Century BC. During this period, the island was known as Agarum, and was deemed to be the land of a Dilmun deity, Enzak, according to Sumerian texts discovered on the island. The island of Failaka became a hub of civilisation from somewhere around the 3rd to 1st millennium BC. After the reign of the Dilmun, Failaka was settled by the Mesopotamian Kassites, and was formally controlled by the dynasty of Babylon.

Studies trace human settlement of the island from as far back as the 3rd Century to early 20th century. Many artefacts were unearthed on the island in archaeological digs, which were linked to ancient Mesopotamian civilisations, illustrating the Failaka was drawn towards the civilisation based Antioch, at the time.

Alexander the Great’s advance throughout the region in 331 BC facilitated the colonisation of Failaka Island by the Greeks. When Alexander returned to Mesopotamia, Ancient Greeks stopped off at Failaka, colonising the island.

Up until the invasion by Iraq, Failaka boasted several schools, as well as 2000 residents. Az Zawr is a village which is situated towards the island’s central, northwest side, representing Kuwait’s longest continually populated location. Throughout 1900 and 1991, invading Iraqi soldiers depopulated the island of Failaka, expelling residents to the Kuwaiti mainland. The Iraqi army used the island’s buildings and facilities for target practice, and buried mines on Failaka beaches.

After the war, Failaka’s minefields were cleared, though the island remains under military use. Nevertheless, Failaka has grown popular as a tourist destination for those residing in Kuwait city. Travel to Failaka is largely via the passenger ferry, Ikarus.

Spring time on Failaka Island is regarded by Kuwaiti nationals as a particularly special occasion. The Island has a distinct climate and ecosystem from that of mainland Kuwait, its changeable temperatures and budding flowers greatly appreciated by visitors. Although the infrastructure of Failaka remains somewhat restricted, the Island has recently begun to build a respectable tourism industry, providing visitors with the opportunity to take part in swimming, sailing, fishing and water sports.