KUWAIT: To mark the beginning of Europe Month activities in Kuwait, EU Ambassadors visited Failaka Island – one of Kuwait’s most treasured heritage sites. The visit, organized by Kuwait’s National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters, in collaboration with the French Embassy and the French Research Centre for the Arabian Peninsula (CEFREPA), highlighted ongoing joint European-Kuwaiti efforts to preserve Kuwait’s rich history, which includes a remarkable Hellenistic fortress.
Every year, archaeological research missions from EU Member States – currently France, Denmark, Poland, Italy and Slovakia – come to Failaka to join efforts to preserve Kuwait’s treasured past, from the Bronze Age to modern times. Among these, the new Franco-Kuwaiti archaeological mission, led by Mathilde Gelin (ArScAn–CNRS/CEFREPA), is currently undertaking excavations focused on the Hellenistic fortress, a site once known as “Ikaros” during the time of Alexander the Great. This mission, carried out in close partnership with NCCAL and the Department of Antiquities and Museums, aims to deepen knowledge of this period and ensure the preservation of this unique cultural heritage.
During the visit, the ambassadors were accompanied by Hassan Al Failakawi, a native of the island and local expert, whose deep-rooted knowledge of Failaka’s history greatly enriched the delegation’s understanding of the site and its significance. EU Ambassador Anne Koistinen said: “I am thrilled to begin Europe Month activities in Kuwait this year with this field visit to Failaka. This beautiful island reminds us of the deep cultural ties between Kuwait and Europe. I would like to thank the NCCAL, the French Embassy and the French Research Center for organizing this visit.”
