KUWAIT: The Kuwait National Library inaugurated on Tuesday the British Council’s Platinum Jubilee Exhibition, showcasing rare photographs and archival publications highlighting the Council’s longstanding contributions to education in Kuwait. The week-long exhibition was opened under the patronage of British Ambassador to Kuwait Belinda Lewis and marks a significant milestone in bilateral cultural and educational ties between the two countries.
Speaking to KUNA, researcher in Kuwaiti-British relations and exhibition organizer Issa Dashti said the display traces the history of the British Council’s presence in Kuwait since its establishment in 1955. The exhibition features key publications once used in Kuwaiti schools for teaching the English language, reflecting the Council’s early role in shaping educational development. Dashti noted that the exhibition coincides with the 250th anniversary of Kuwaiti-British relations and commemorates this historic partnership through the presentation of rare, previously unpublished images documenting high-level visits over the decades.
Among the highlights are photographs from the 1993 visit of King Charles III — then Prince of Wales — when he officially reopened the British Cultural Centre following the liberation of Kuwait. The exhibition also includes materials from his second visit to the country in 1997, further underscoring the depth of royal engagement in strengthening cultural ties. The exhibition offers visitors a unique opportunity to revisit key moments in the shared history of Kuwait and the United Kingdom, shedding light on their enduring partnership in the fields of culture and education. — KUNA