From the Fish Market to the Book Market... The Scent and Memory of Kuwait
Call to transform the Daira Fish Market into a book market and link it to the revival of Sheikh Nasser Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah's neighborhood to enhance Kuwaiti memory
Translated by Qiyas from الراي — Original source
On a quiet morning in India, as the clock neared seven, reading transported me to the heart of Kuwait. I was reading an article titled “The Pot of Sheikh Nasser Al-Mubarak” by writer Hamad Al-Hamad, published in Al-Rai newspaper. His golden idea of transforming the fish market inside the Diyar into a book market struck me; it is a concept worthy of contemplation and support, and one that should find its way to implementation.
The presence of this market among commercial shops grants it a precious opportunity: where crowds converge, books can find new readers. A visitor may enter to buy something essential, only to be stopped by a novel or an image on a book cover documenting old Kuwait, leaving with an item they had not originally planned to purchase. Here, the trade of literature meets the rhythm of the market, and commercial activity becomes a pillar for cultural presence.
The Mubarakiya district, with its heritage value and strong presence among Kuwaitis and visitors alike, provides a suitable environment for this project. The book market could accompany the revival of “Sheikh Nasser Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah’s pot,” after documenting its story and preparation method, making it part of an experience where visitors savor a taste of memory and read a portion of its history.
I envision preparing cafes in the location that offer services to students, readers, and researchers, including suitable tables for reading and writing, printing facilities, and internet access, along with designated spaces for book signings and literary meetings. In this way, the cultural dimension blends with commercial support, and cafes and bookstores find mutual reasons to endure.
To reinforce this spirit, I propose designating heritage days during which Kuwaiti participants—men, women, and children—are required to wear traditional Kuwaiti attire, completing the visual identity of the place and allowing younger generations to appreciate the beauty of their clothing and heritage.
This is an invitation to give books a vibrant place in the heart of the Diyar; a place where we read, converse, recall our stories, and provide Kuwaiti authors and publishers with a permanent window to the public. Perhaps Hamad Al-Hamad’s suggestion will become the beginning of a project through which we see Kuwait reading its memory and writing its future.
