Kuwait's Memory in Children's Eyes

On the stage of the American Cultural Center, as part of the activities of Summer of Culture Festival 18, the puppet play “Jamal, the Wall’s Guardian” was presented as a performance infused with the spirit of old Kuwait. It was staged for children in a simple, entertaining, and relatable manner. The play does not merely recount events from the past; rather, it allows children to witness history firsthand and interact with it through puppets, characters, and dialogue.

The use of puppets to narrate social history to children was one of the most beautiful elements of the performance. Historical events, facts, and information about traditional ways of life in Kuwait were transformed into a vivid visual experience. Naturally drawn to and empathizing with puppet characters, children are able to absorb the human values embedded in the dialogues and situations, learning without feeling as though they are receiving a direct historical lesson.

What makes this work particularly appealing is that its primary goal is entertainment, while simultaneously making learning an interactive experience. Information is woven into the narrative, characters guide children toward key ideas, and each scene opens a window onto a bygone era that, although not experienced firsthand, can be imagined and understood in its details.

Writer Huda Al-Shawa, drawing on her interest in children’s literature, sought to enhance the historical and cultural awareness of the current generation by incorporating local environmental elements into the storytelling. Consequently, children see traces of their city’s past in the performance: the neighborhood (fereej), mud-brick houses, the market, and the city walls, alongside animals from the surrounding environment and characters reminiscent of those known in traditional Kuwaiti society. This is where the true value of the performance lies: it presents heritage not as something distant or merely as preserved images in books, but as an integral part of the story unfolding on stage. When children see the places, characters, and environment to which they belong, the past becomes more accessible, helping them understand their roots and connect the lives of their ancestors to the world they inhabit today.

Produced by Energy Al-Ibda’iya (Creative Energy) Company, the play revolves around Kuwait’s city walls and their gates, highlighting their role in protecting the city and its inhabitants. The gates were closed at night and opened in the morning, a simple depiction that nonetheless captures many details of daily life in old Kuwait. Through this concept, children learn about the meaning of protection and responsibility, as well as the structure of urban life during that era.

The choice of a “little camel” as the central character adds a gentle human dimension to the work. The small protagonist’s sense of responsibility and his relationships with those around him make the story more relatable, offering children the opportunity to see themselves in the character and to learn about cooperation, accountability, and belonging.

“Jamal, the Wall’s Guardian” is a beautiful theatrical experience because it knows how to turn heritage into a story, history into an image, and learning into an enjoyable game. It opens a door for children to the Kuwait of the past without overwhelming them with information, leaving behind something more valuable than facts alone: a sense of belonging, curiosity, and a desire to discover the stories that shaped the place they live in today. This is why the presence of such works in Summer of Culture Festival 18 is significant. When children encounter their history through theater, they do not merely memorize the past; they begin to love it, understand it, and feel that they are part of its narrative.

Although the play is aimed at children, its message also resonates with adults. It reminds us that responsibility does not always come with age, and that children can learn the meaning of trustworthiness, protecting what belongs to them, and self-reliance through a simple situation and an engaging story. One of the most appealing aspects of the performance is that it connects children with their environment and heritage, introducing them to a form of life in old Kuwait through a contemporary and light theatrical style. Such performances are highly important because they transform the theater into a space for both enjoyment and learning.

“Jamal, the Wall’s Guardian” is not just a tale about a little camel and a task he undertakes; it is a story about a child who learns that every stage of life carries its own responsibilities, and that courage lies not only in strength, but in accepting responsibility and fulfilling one’s role.