ShareBy Ghadeer Ghloum
KUWAIT: 'Kashta' is a Kuwaiti tradition of enjoying picnics in the open desert away from the busy city life. A simple tradition that has stood the test of time, kashta is part of Kuwait's heritage that has served as a getaway for people from the city, and in a way, maintained their connection to the land for generations. As part of Kuwait's national holidays, the ministry of social affairs launched a project that revisits the kashta tradition but with a modern twist. Inspired by the word 'kashta', Mikshat is a unique entertainment and cultural project for the entire family that is happening for the first time in Kuwait to celebrate Kuwait's heritage and national days.
Abdulazeez Al-Mufaraj (left) known as (Shadi Al Khaleej), Minister of Social Affairs Mai Al-Baghli and other top dignitaries arrive for the event.Young Kuwaiti volunteers built the entire project within 40 days in a spectacular fashion, as Minister of Social Affairs Mai Al-Baghli highlighted during the event's opening on Monday. She praised the youths' role in volunteering to finalize this project, besides other society unions that supervised and supported this idea. She added the project is 100 percent local.
Visitors can enjoy several activities at the Mikshat site such as renting camps for the full kashta experience, attending folklore stage performances, enjoying a meal or coffee break at various restaurants and cafes present there, shopping at a market space that displays local products by local farmers, families and differently-abled people, and spending quality time at a children's playground.
Abdul Mohsen Al-Abdullah, PublicRelations and Media Officer of the Union of Consumer Co-operative Societies
Om Rasheed, President of Down Syndrome Association, said the association holds workshops that train differently-abled people in the presence of their parents, where they start working collectively to make products. Decoupages, accessories and decorated bamboo sticks are a few examples of the products the association assists its trainees to create. She praised the ministry of social affairs for providing this opportunity for productive local families, which encourages further local production, besides the educational side of this project, as it reminds visitors of Kuwait's heritage.
Abdul Mohsen Al-Abdullah, Public Relations and Media Officer of the Union of Consumer Co-operative Societies, told Kuwait Times Mikshat is inspired by the desert, which represents Kuwait's environment. The project's main focus is to support Kuwaiti small business owners and Kuwaiti youngsters' creativity. The desert-themed settings include dunes, palm trees, tents and animals such as camels and horses. Located on Sulaibikhat coast, the project is open daily from February 21 to March 20 from 3:00 pm to 11:00 pm. The entry fee is KD 2.
