Al Shaheed Park

8 December 2022

I was rambling and mooching about trying to find something positive to think about Kuwait when I accidently came across this brilliant inner-city Park. At first I thought it might be a shortcut or maybe a scabby city park with bare sand and a few shrubs.

Boy, was I wrong. It was fabulous and deigned intelligently and with care. I spent hours rambling about. There were a few museums they but unfortunately, vthey didn’t open until 4pm. This is common in the countries I have visited on my trip so far. Businesses open early and then closr from 12 – 4pm while sensible folk flee from the heat and have a meal and a snooze. Mad dogs and western tourists are an exception and walk out in the noon day sun. And why not, it woluld be cowardly not to.

I found a posh cafe and had karak and some lunch. Eye-wateringly expensive but delicious. I had chicken bits deep fried in a sticky coating and drizzled with maple syrup. Tasty, tasty, very very tasty. It came with toasted sourdough bread and little pots of delicious spreads. The karak was advertised as saffron infused and very creamy. It was ok but at 2 Dinar a pot, over €6, the most expensive pot of tea I have ever drank.

After my refreshments, I went rambling again.

I felt different about Kuwait after this and wondered if it was me and not Kuwait. I reluctantly had to agree with myself.

Here’s their website blurb: https://www.alshaheedpark.com/

Al Shaheed park, located on the periphery of Kuwait city, narrates the story of a land, its history and culture. The park consists of 200,000 m2 of greenery, featuring beautiful botanical gardens, two museums – Thekra & the Habitat, a visitor center, a lake, walkways and jogging tracks, making it the largest urban park in Kuwait.

Al Shaheed Park is a project developed by Al Diwan Al Amiri and managed by LOYAC (Lothan Youth Achievement Center). It is a precedent of its kind that Al Diwan Al Amiri – seen as one of the symbols of the State of Kuwait’s sovereignty and in which serves as the headquarters and the permanent centre of the country’s rulers takes initiation into reclaiming the former Green Belt – a series of gardens built between the old city of Kuwait and its expansion. This is further complimented with a strategic vision from Al Diwan al Amiri in handing over the management of the property to the Kuwaiti youth to help cultivate and nurture the arts, history and culture through a year long calendar of events.

AL SHAHEED PARK NARRATES THE STORY OF A LAND
When it comes to the environment, Al Shaheed Park aims to promote environmental awareness and its protection. By visiting the Habitat – a museum dedicated to the environment and bird migration in Kuwait, the visitors learn more about the different ecosystems, migratory birds and the effects of pollution through interactive learning stations.

In addition to the museum, a Bird Aviary was built outside of the Habitat to provide a resting area for the numerous migrating birds in Kuwait. By doing so, visitors also get a chance to view these different kinds of birds as they stop by to rest during their journey.

AL SHAHEED PARK NARRATES THE STORY ITS HISTORY
Located on the oldest and most historical ring roads of Kuwait, Al Shaheed Park contains a wealth of history waiting to be explored.The most historical elements found in the park is the Al-Shaab gate, one of the five remaining gates of the old Kuwait Wall.

Named after the martyrs, the park consists of two main monuments: The Martyr Monument – a seven meter high glass sculpture built to honor the martyrs of Kuwait – and the Constitution Monument that celebrates the Golden Jubilee of the Kuwaiti constitution. At Thekra, Al Shaheed Park’s memorial museum, visitors are provided with more knowledge on the history of Kuwait, its past battles and the Gulf War. In order to preserve the country’s historical and cultural values, the museum aims to collaborate with the public by offering them dedicated booths where visitors can share their past personal experiences to pass it on to the next generation.

AL SHAHEED PARK NARRATES THE STORY OF A CULTURE
With the vision of becoming the leading cultural platform in the country, Al-Shaheed park grants the public with a calendar of educational and cultural programs as well outdoor and indoor spaces that can be utilised for various events and activities. Such spaces include the amphitheater, the different open grass areas around the park as well as the visitor center’s multipurpose hall. The park also features beautiful outdoor sculptures created by local artists, along with cafes and restaurants and an underground parking.