Arabic Calligraphy in Kuwaiti Stamps: A History, Art, and Stories Worth Discovering
- Hala Al-Badr: Every stamp carries a story, information, and value that transcends its appearance
- Arabic calligraphy opens a “vast sea” of knowledge and beauty in stamps
- Adel Al-Abdularzagh: The diversity of calligraphic styles adds further beauty to the stamp
- Ahmed Bin Hussein: Kuwaiti stamps have showcased the six fundamental Arabic calligraphic styles
Sheikha Hala Bader Muhammad Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, a member of the Kuwaiti Society for Stamp and Coin Collectors, affirmed that the exhibition on Arabic calligraphy in Kuwaiti stamps reveals a vast and beautiful world that goes beyond the traditional image many associate with learning Arabic calligraphy in schools.
Speaking on the sidelines of the exhibition’s opening, Sheikha Hala stated that the experience of viewing various examples of Arabic calligraphy on Kuwaiti stamps opens up a “vast sea” of knowledge and beauty for visitors. She explained that a stamp’s value is incomplete without the calligraphy that adorns it, highlighting its concept, history, and the occasion for which it was issued.
She added that the exhibition prompted her to take a greater interest in learning about the types of Arabic calligraphy used, such as Thuluth, Naskh, and Ruq’ah. She noted that she has begun to wonder about the names of the calligraphers who wrote on Kuwaiti stamps and how a specific calligraphic style was chosen to present a particular stamp or occasion.
Sheikha Hala expressed her interest in researching the history of Arabic calligraphy in Kuwait and identifying the calligraphers who have contributed to this field, especially given the clear emphasis in Kuwaiti stamps on highlighting Arab and Islamic heritage through design and calligraphy.
Regarding the hobby of stamp collecting, Sheikha Hala stressed that a collector should not be content with merely collecting stamps and placing them in an album, but should instead research their history, the occasion they commemorate, and the calligraphy used, as every stamp carries a story, information, and value that transcends its external appearance.
She said that the varying prices of stamps among collectors and in specialized markets should encourage collectors to investigate the reasons behind their value, and to learn about the stamp’s history, its occasion, and the calligraphy employed. She considered that a true hobby broadens the collector’s horizons and is not limited to the act of collecting alone.
She called on those interested in joining the society to pursue this hobby, confirming that the society’s doors are open to new members, provided their participation is based on knowledge, research, and an interest in the history of stamps, rather than mere collection.
For his part, Dr. Adel Al-Abdularzagh, President of the Kuwaiti Society for Stamp and Coin Collectors, affirmed that the exhibition on Arabic calligraphy in Kuwaiti stamps is part of the society’s activities aimed at introducing the public and collectors to the historical and artistic aspects of stamps.
He explained that the society has previously organized events and lectures on heritage buildings, while the current exhibition focuses on the presence of Arabic calligraphy in the history of Kuwaiti stamps and examples of the Arabic calligraphic styles used in them.
He pointed out that stamps are not merely a means of documentation but are also linked to the arts, emphasizing the society’s commitment to encouraging the public and collectors to discover the aesthetics, diversity, and role of Arabic calligraphy in enhancing the value of stamps.
In turn, Ahmed Muhammad Bin Hussein, the exhibition’s organizer and a member of the society, stated that the exhibition aims to introduce the public to Arabic calligraphy and its types, and to showcase Kuwaiti stamps and the calligraphic styles historically used in them.
He called for increased use of works by calligraphers instead of relying entirely on electronic fonts, given the artistic value and unique spirit they add. He proposed conducting a specialized study on the evolution of calligraphy in stamps, its diversity, and its quality.
