Category: 50s to 90s

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

Tons of photos taken on Failaka back in 1985. Not sure if any of the archeological finds are still there or in the same state since the last time I was on the island was back in 1989. [Link]

Kids ‘r’ us makes a small cameo appearance [YouTube]

[YouTube]

Two years ago by complete randomness I found out who the Tikka “I like it spicy” guy was and posted about him. Now out of nostalgia curiosity I’m hoping to find out who the Pizza Italia guy from the commercial was and what he’s doing right now.

So if you have any information on the guy running in the commercial (pictured above) then let me know. Actually any information on the commercial like who did it, how it came to be etc.. would be interesting as well.

Update: Here is some information according to two readers. The Pizza Italia guy in the commercial is actually a Lebanese actor. The commercial was directed by Nick Cate, who is now living in the UAE. The scene in which is he running in front of shops was filmed in old Salmiya where Alamiah and Waleed Toys were located. The camera was located on the first floor of the building on the opposite side (the one with Xcite and Cinemagic).

Update2: According to Nick the director of the commercial, it was shot on a hand cranked 16mm Bolex camera and the music was composed by an Egyptian composer called Mohammed Al Banna.

Someone uploaded an old video in which Entertainment City and the Ice Skating Rink were being introduced to the viewers. No idea if the video was made before they were built my guess is it was or else they would have included pictures of the actual projects completed. [YouTube]

Thanks Khalid

Wanna know how an alcohol permit used to look like in Kuwait? Check this one out by clicking [Here]

Update: On a related note and from the archives.. Oil, Oil Everywhere, But Not a Drop to Drink