Kuwait and France host conference on heritage preservation

KUWAIT: The French Research Centre of the Arabian Peninsula (CEFREPA), in collaboration with the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL), organized a conference titled “Archaeology and Architecture Between Modern Technology and National Identity” on Sunday at Crowne Plaza Hotel. The event focused on strategies for preserving cultural heritage.

In his opening remarks, NCCAL Secretary-General Dr Mohammed Al-Jassar emphasized the importance of preserving historical and archaeological sites properly. “In Kuwait, we are working on developing these sites into attractive cultural tourism destinations through sustainable and high-standard development,” he said, noting that the ultimate goal is to include them on the UNESCO World Heritage List, which would yield long-term cultural and economic benefits.

French Ambassador Olivier Gauvin expressed his pleasure in participating in the cultural event and highlighted the longstanding friendship between Kuwait and France. He pointed to ongoing cooperation with NCCAL on archaeological projects, including excavations on Failaka Island and efforts to preserve the Hellenistic fortress. The ambassador also announced a newly launched specialized training program in historic building studies, supported by a memorandum of understanding with the World Monuments Fund. The program is part of Kuwait’s preparations for nominating sites to the World Heritage List.

Dr Aseel Al-Ragam

CEFREPA Director Dr Makram Abbes stated that the conference carries symbolic and cultural significance, especially as Kuwait has been named the Capital of Arab Culture and Media for 2025. He noted that the partnership with NCCAL spans several areas, including archaeological excavations, heritage conservation, academic publishing, specialist training, and data analysis. One of the key initiatives is the nomination of Failaka Island for UNESCO listing. The collaboration also extends to the humanities and manuscript heritage, focusing on preservation, accessibility and building a foundation for broader cultural activity. — KUNA

Dr Aseel Al-Ragam, Associate Professor and Assistant Dean for Planning, Consulting and Training at Kuwait University’s College of Architecture — and chair of the conference, underscored the need for multidisciplinary cooperation in preserving architectural heritage, particularly in the face of rapid urban transformation. “Architecture in the Gulf has always been a way to express identity and belonging — it’s not just an artistic endeavor,” she said. “Heritage is not merely what we preserve from the past, but what we reinterpret in the present for the future.”

She called for moving beyond traditional preservation methods toward critical, integrated approaches that combine memory, meaning and form. She emphasized that archaeologists, architects, and heritage experts must work together to reimagine a sustainable and inclusive future. The conference spans five sessions over three days. — KUNA