Category: 50s to 90s

An Episode from Farouq Abdul-Aziz’s Cine Club Show on Kuwait TV from Farouq Abdul-Aziz on Vimeo.

Wow I can’t believe I just found this! Those of you who used to watch KTV back in the day will remember a show that came on once a week called The Cinema Club where a host would first talk a bit about the movie he was going to show and it’s importance, and then play it for us. The host Farouq Abdul-Aziz uploaded one episode of the show on Vimeo and you can watch it above. Sadly the sound quality isn’t that great but the opening sequence still managed to bring back so many memories.

The Huntley Film Archives have uploaded another video of Kuwait from their film archive, this time dating back to around 1970. Video starts of slow a bit but becomes more interesting after the 3 minute mark. [YouTube]

In case you missed my previous posts on films on Kuwait from the Huntley Film Archives, below are the links:
Close Up On Kuwait – 1962 (a must watch)
Kuwait adverts from the 1980’s

I spotted this photo at the Bait Al-Othman Museum and posted it on my Instagram account last week. I don’t know who the original photographer is but if you want a higher resolution version of it click [Here]

No idea from what year since the video doesn’t have a description. [YouTube]

I was taking a back road towards Rihab Complex when I spotted a group of old buildings with what looked like a garden growing wildly in between them so I decided to pass by and check the place out. There didn’t turn out to be a wild garden just a few trees but the buildings were super old and interesting since it seemed like they used to raise pigeons there since I found cages everywhere. If you’re interested in visiting there are four of these building next to each other, I only visited one of them. Here is their location on [Google Maps]

Everyone knows about the Kuwait Bookshop located in the basement of Muthana Complex but not a lot of people know of the one located near the Sheraton roundabout. The Kuwait Bookshop at the Sheraton roundabout is their original location and has been there since the 1960s. I passed by last night with a friend and we ended up picking up a couple of books. Their top floor is full of old stuff and you can even find prints from the 70s just sitting on the shelves untouched and covered in dust. If you’ve never passed by there you should before the building ends up getting demolished. They’re located right on the Sheraton roundabout in Kuwait City to the right of Al Sawan Travels.

Note: The pictures in this post date back to 2010

[YouTube]

Damn, why don’t we have these kinds of races anymore? [YouTube]

I don’t have the photos in a larger size since they’re all screen grabs taken from this video. I’ve already contacted the guy who made the video to see where he got the photos originally from so hopefully he gets back to me. For now you can check out all the old photos below.

Also make sure you check out the fire departments official Instagram account which is pretty active [Here]

Letter Home is a book written by Karen Alanizi on her experiences during the 1990 Kuwait invasion. Below is the description I got from her website:

The Compelling true story of Karen Alanizi and her Kuwaiti husband during the 1990 Iraqi invasion of Kuwait.

Based on a letter written to her family in England her story reveals the heart-wrenching emotions, fears and the often amusing and sometimes bizarre side of life during the Iraqi occupation.

She describes the desperation of their separation, and the journeys that eventually re-unite them in England.

As the Gulf War unfolds they fear for their family and friends left behind in Kuwait and wait impatiently for the Liberation of the country that they love so much.

I haven’t read the book but while checking out her website I found some interesting pictures she had taken during and after the invasion. One of my favorites is the one I posted above of the two people in a George Bush and Margaret Thatcher masks. If you’re interested in her book or checking out more photos click [Here]

Al Jazeera has photos taken of NES right after the invasion showing the state it was in. One of my favorite photos from the bunch is the one above of Jehan Rajab, the co-founder of the New English School. The photo was taken outside the school grounds following liberation. Check out all the photos [Here]

Thanks Mathew

This is an hour long BBC documentary about the 1991 Gulf War presented by father and son historians Peter and Dan Snow. [YouTube]

Since it’s the anniversary of the 1990 Kuwait Invasion I always like to share the important links below.

Free Kuwait
This is a website that focuses on the campaign that was led by Kuwaitis in exile and is loaded with photos and information.

Kuwait Invasion – The Evidence
This is a website that contains over 1,200 pictures taken right after the 1990 invasion as photographic evidence to all the destruction caused by Iraq.

Short movie: Hearts of Palm
Hearts of Palm is a short movie set in August 2nd 1990 and deals with Kuwaiti students living in Miami Florida during the Iraqi Invasion of Kuwait.

The Class of 1990
This is a short documentary about reuniting class mates years after the 1990 Iraqi invasion.

Homemade video from the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait
Video clips taken by a Kuwaiti family during the Iraqi invasion

Desert Storm Photos
Photos taken by soldiers during Desert Storm.

Photo by Adel Al-Yousifi

Instagram user @mohammedaltourah has been posting photos taken from old newspapers of various events that were taking place in Kuwait back in the 70s. Among the photos was this Boney M ad above dating back to 1978. I also found the video below that according to the uploader was taken in Kuwait back in 1978. But, the video also says it was shot in UAE. Since I don’t think UAE existed back then (you know what I mean) it’s very possible that this was shot in Kuwait. [YouTube]

Check out more old newspaper clippings [Here]

I’m pretty impressed they had a soundtrack album yet alone one that was pressed on vinyl.

via @lolalovapabulum