Bayt Lothan Offers Citizens and Expats- Folk Songs, Dancing and Crafts

Kuwait Times published Date: February 22, 2011
By Ben Garcia, Staff Writer

KUWAIT: Bayt Lothan, a nonprofit organization that serves the community by promoting events focused on national heritage such as art, music and crafts, is currently hosting Crafts Heritage 2011. Besides hosting exhibitions, the event will showcase musical recitals by several well-known Kuwaiti folk singers and dancers. The event, under the patronage of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Muhammad Al Sabah, started on Feb 19 and will continue until Feb 23. Speaking with the Kuwait Times, Bayt Lothan's General Manager Farah Fawaz Al-Sabah said the exhibition and musical extravaganza is free of charge. She added that the event is an opportunity to present citizens and expats with the history and heritage of Kuwait and is part of their contribution to Kuwait's upcoming national days.

I want everybody to come and witness the performances of our artistes," she said. "These performances are not exclusive to Kuwaitis. I personally would like to see expats enjoy the music and the display of our national heritage." Bayt Lothan prepared performances by several groups of professional folk singers and dancers. "If you noticed our music is really a little bit of everything from our neighboring countries, it's fun and jolly," she continued.

Persian influences are there but there are also African and Indians influences as well," She said that traditional sailing songs will be presented on Wednesday, including famous Persian song such as 'haban' and 'samris.' "In this presentation, we are going to demonstrate how the people of the pre-oil era managed to survive merely by pearl diving. Every song has a particular meaning. There were songs for pulling rope, diving, even for saying goodbye or that it was time to eat and have some fun," she said.

Also for the event, Bayt Lothan has displayed their most valuable and worthwhile collections. A place called the bride's room displays charming and impressive wedding dresses from the early 1930's, 40's and 50's. Another room is reserved for astrologer Saleh Al-Ajari, where an old astronomy instrument is on display. "We have a room filled with old folk instruments and another with photos and paintings of Kuwait," she said.

Al-Sabah said the exhibition is an opportunity to link the present to its past but also to remind children about the importance of their national identity. "I want this event to show our children how our forefathers worked hard to build a country full of the people we are today." Farah Al-Sabah also thanked the event's sponsors, ABK, Markaz, Knetco, Wataniya Telecom and Ford.

LWDLIK- This was published this morning in Kuwait Times so we (the expats) have already missed 3 days. Hmmm..Bayt Lothan didn't release the details in English prior to commencing the event?