Roger in Kuwait, part 6

I had already come to realise that Kuwait was a more open society than some of the other Middle East countries; they openly permitted and accepted other religions, the Abaya, the traditional veil worn by women, was not obligatory, and generally, the welcomes were warm and heartening but nothing could prepare me for what I saw once we had greeted the artists of the art association and entered the permanent exhibition.

Not only is art in Kuwait broad, skilfully executed with strong and well controlled colours, they also span most of the art forms in the world and are full of expression and joie de vivre. Some artists stray and explore themselves using unique media and techniques. Some artists involve Kuwait classicism or recent Kuwait history, such as the ’91 invasion or historic motives. Some female artists, such as Dhamiaa Alayoubi and Thuraya Al-Bagsami, are truly exceptional and portray the female emancipation and freedom that women have in today’s Kuwait vis-à-vis the traditional, sometimes oppressing, conditions that women experienced in the patriarchal society of the old Kuwait.

I firmly believe that Kuwait art could, and should, be seen around the world. There is no better way to understand another culture. And also, as far as art goes, the Kuwaiti can hold their own and be successful even at the highest international levels and I have the strongest urge to take a group of talented young artists from Kuwait and arrange an exhibition for them in Denmark. I just hope that we Danes can treat them as well and welcoming as they treated us.

Last stop was the parliament of Kuwait. The wife of the Danish trade commissioner, Vibeke Jørgensen, had pulled strings and worked hard to arrange a guided tour to see the very heart of the Kuwait society – the parliament.

The Danish architect Jørn Utzon is perhaps best known for the design of the opera house in Sydney, Australia. Whereas the Sydney opera house is unique and truly exceptional, the perhaps lesser–known but equally exceptional design of the Kuwait parliament did pose a much bigger challenge which he solved with brilliance and a flair for the culture and metrological conditions under which it is built.

Jasem Al-Matrouk, the head of Protocol & Public Relations greeted us as we entered the building. There is one fabulous feature that stands out as you first view the building; an enormous tent shape with its front to the Gulf Sea to catch the cool breeze from the sea. This also, as you experience once you are in the National Assembly hall, channels the light and funnels it into the large hall and also, from the inside, acts as an acoustic device to spread and even the sound during sessions.

The Arabian tent is also the symbol of hospitality and in this case, the openness of the Kuwait democracy. Jasem Al-Matrouk underlined this by telling us that any person, from any country, is welcome at all times to participate as a spectator during the National Assembly sessions.

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