The al-Sabah Collection The al-Sabah Collection The al-Sabah Collection, a comprehensive collection of Islamic and pre-Islamic objects founded by Sheikh Nasser Sabah al-Ahmed al-Sabah (1948 – 2020), has influenced audiences in the Middle East, Asia, Europe and North America. Established in 1983, Dar al-Athar al-Islamiyyah was created to manage The al-Sabah Collection, based on a permanent loan to the State of Kuwait under the auspices of the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters. The collection preserves and presents all aspects of art from the Islamic world and beyond includes more than 30,000 pieces extending from Spain to China, from the early Bronze Age to the 19th century CE. The…

DAR AL-ATHAR AL-ISLAMIYYAH Dar al-Athar al-Islamiyyah (DAI) Dar al-Athar al-Islamiyyah is a cultural organisation based on a Kuwaiti private art collection owned by Sheikh Nasser Sabah al-Ahmed al Sabah (1948 – 2020), founder of The al-Sabah Collection and his wife, DAI director general and co-founder Sheikha Hussa Sabah al-Salem al-Sabah.Since its inception, DAI has grown from a single focus organisation to an internationally recognised cultural institution. DAI’s main activities include: • An annual Cultural Season (lectures, music concerts, forum, workshops, children’s programme, quarterly magazine/journal, quarterly newsletter, cultural expeditions)• Travelling exhibitions and loans• The research and publication of scholarly books• Conservation training programmes• Research and excavation projects While the rehabilitation project…

Qibla Cultural District DAR AL-ATHAR AL-ISLAMIYYAH, KUWAIT Qibla Cultural District (QCD) and the Kuwait National Museum In 1983, in the presence of scores of Kuwaitis, diplomats, non-Kuwaiti residents of the country and representatives from leading cultural institutions around the world, the Dar al-Athar al-Islamiyyah was opened in the largest building at the Kuwait National Museum (KNM). Objects from The al-Sabah Collection of art from the Islamic world held in the Dar al-Athar al-Islamiyyah joined ethnographic galleries highlighting tradional life in Kuwait, an exhibition featuring the remarkable finds from archaeological excavations, largely in Failaka Island, examples of traditional dhows and an inspiring planetarium to complete a cultural experience to all visitors. Less…

Yarmouk Cultural Centre DAR AL-ATHAR AL-ISLAMIYYAH, KUWAIT Yarmouk Cultural Centre (YCC) The Dar al-Athar al-Islamiyyah and The al-Sabah Collection are pleased to call the Yarmouk Cultural Cente home. Like the Amricani Cultural Centre, YCC has a long history of serving the people of Kuwait in many different ways. Like the Amricani, today it continues this mission of service.  As the Yarmouk Secondary School for Boys, the buildings were a source of pride for the neighbourhood, educating young men from the area. Over the years, the school was a meeting point for families and friends; a gathering place for discussions on policies and practices and for shared celebrations. It was a place…

Amricani Cultural Centre DAR AL-ATHAR AL-ISLAMIYYAH, KUWAIT Amricani Cultural Centre (ACC) This is the Amricani Cultural Centre, Amricani for short. The Amricani was built by the Dutch Reformed Church of America in the early 20th century as a hospital. The local people called it “Mustashfaa Amricani”. Out of respect for the history of the place, we kept “Amricani”. HistoryThe graceful buildings facing the sea in Kuwait City reflect the commitment to community in the country’s past and future. From medical buildings to cultural facilities, the buildings that make up the Al Amricani Cultural Centre have served the people of Kuwait since the early 20th century. The Amricani compound was originally developed…