AMMAN: Kuwait’s pavilion at the 39th Jerash Festival of Culture and Arts in Jordan is offering visitors an immersive experience into the country’s diverse cultural heritage, from handmade crafts to iconic literary works. Set within the festival’s Embassy Exhibition, the Kuwaiti pavilion brings together traditional artisanship, interactive displays, and a glimpse into the country’s famous “diwaniya” social space. Visitors can watch live demonstrations of shipbuilding and bisht weaving—crafts passed down through generations—as well as sample Kuwaiti cuisine and browse a wide selection of free publications.
“Our participation aims to highlight key Kuwaiti cultural publications, which are a fundamental pillar of Kuwait’s cultural scene,” said Dalal Al-Fadhli, Director of Culture at the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL). She added that the pavilion recreates the authentic atmosphere of a Kuwaiti diwaniya and introduces visitors to traditional crafts like shipbuilding and bisht tailoring.
The pavilion features an array of magazines and books covering both Kuwaiti and Arab culture, including well-known titles such as Al-Arabi, Al-Arabi Al-Sagheer, Aalam Al-Ma’rifa, and Aalam Al-Fikr. “We’ve seen strong engagement from festivalgoers,” Al-Fadhli told KUNA. “They’re enjoying hands-on experiences with the artisans, the diwaniya setting, and the popular dishes, along with the cultural material we offer for free.”
Jordanian Minister of Culture Mustafa Rawashdeh (center left) is gifted a Kuwaiti bisht by Kuwaiti officials, including NCCAL Secretary-General Dr Mohammad Al-Jassar (center right).
Artisan Hussein Al-Bazzaz, head of the Kuwaiti Craftsmen Association, has been leading live demonstrations of traditional dhow-building and offering brief lessons on the history of boom ships—vessels that once symbolized Kuwait’s maritime legacy. “Craftsmanship is an essential part of our heritage,” Al-Bazzaz said. “The ships I build today are based on the same techniques passed down from my ancestors.”
Suleiman Al-Suleiman has conducted workshops on bisht making, the traditional robe worn across the Gulf. “I’m the third generation in my family to carry this craft,” he said, adding that despite his academic job, his passion for the bisht tradition remains strong. “Visitors are fascinated by how the bisht is handmade, the materials we use, and how the craft has evolved.”
The embassy exhibition was inaugurated Thursday by Jordanian Minister of Culture Mustafa Rawashdeh, alongside Kuwaiti officials including NCCAL Secretary-General Dr Mohammad Al-Jassar, and Kuwait’s Ambassador to Jordan, Hamad Al-Merri. Al-Fadli praised Jordan’s efforts in organizing one of the Arab world’s most prominent cultural festivals and thanked the embassy exhibition team for their support and hospitality. — KUNA