The remarks came at the opening of the Urban Renaissance of Kuwait in Stamps and Postcards Exhibition organized by the Kuwait Philatelic and Numismatic Society. The event showcases the personal collection of society vice chairman Hisham Qassem Al-Balam that documents more than 130 buildings and streets across the country. Sheikha Hala Bader Al-Mohammad, an honorary member of the society, described stamps and postcards as vital records that capture the nation’s history including structures, locations and events that form its collective memory.
Sheikha Hala Bader Al-Mohammad said the exhibition illustrates how postage stamps have recorded old buildings and events witnessed by the nation, preserving images of sites that have since vanished in some cases. The stamps serve as proof of the existence of these buildings and she urged concerned officials to locate them as integral parts of the country’s history. Sheikha Hala Bader Al-Mohammad stressed the need to preserve heritage buildings, restore those that can be restored, and convert some into museums and public sites that attract visitors to Kuwait.
The exhibition evoked memories for Sheikha Hala Bader Al-Mohammad of buildings she recalled from childhood that no longer stand. Hisham Qassem Al-Balam noted that postage stamps depict the identity and symbol of each country and are considered a historical document, showing the stages of urban, cultural and tourism developments. He pointed out that the stamps and postcards highlight the urban transformation Kuwait experienced from the late 1950s through the early 1960s along with evolution of its buildings, streets and landmarks.
These sentiments echo ongoing government initiatives led by the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters to rehabilitate heritage locations and urban landmarks. In July 2025 Minister of Information Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi announced continued work on sustainable projects to restore and activate several heritage sites and buildings, transforming them into vibrant cultural and community centers, according to a KUNA report. The minister indicated the efforts follow directives from the country’s leadership and aim to link the past with the present while activating cultural infrastructure and boosting cultural tourism.
The council is also advancing the registration of 500 heritage buildings in the national registry and the creation of 50 squares and plazas around archaeological structures as part of a wider cultural tourism strategy detailed in local reports from the period. A flagship Al-Ahmadi cultural platform, slated for completion in 2028 with a budget of 12 million dinars, is designed to draw 100,000 foreign tourists each year while promoting interactive heritage experiences, according to government sources. The project forms part of a model for cultural and urban heritage that encourages private sector involvement in creative and community activities.
In January 2026 the Ministry of Information inaugurated the Kuwait Geopark project in the north of Kuwait Bay, a national initiative implemented with Kuwait Oil Company and scientific societies to promote geological and cultural heritage as an open museum for tourists. The first phase of the Geopark spans 20 square kilometers and includes facilities such as cafes, craft shops and a stargazing platform with public visits commencing shortly after a trial phase. The development reflects a broader push to consolidate Kuwait’s position as a destination for geology, archaeology and natural heritage.
Such developments support the objectives of Kuwait Vision 2035 by diversifying the economy beyond oil through enhanced tourism and cultural offerings. Partnerships with entities like the United Nations Development Programme and UNESCO have informed strategic visions for areas such as Al-Ahmadi, focusing on urban regeneration and creative industries based on heritage assets, the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters has stated. The council has described these projects as treating heritage as a cornerstone for sustainable development and national identity.
