AUK and CAP Launch First Oral History Exhibition in Kuwait
15th May 2023 | by the Department of PR & Marketing
AUK collaborated with the Contemporary Art Platform (CAP) to launch an oral history exhibition titled, “Voices from the Occupation: The Unearthing of Memory and History through Storytelling.”
Held at the CAP exhibition hall, it featured snippets of recorded interviews from AUK’s Oral History and Documentation Project (OHDP) archives, showcasing the personal experiences of individuals who lived in Kuwait during the Iraqi occupation. The exhibition provided visitors with the opportunity to get a glimpse into the experiences of those who lived through the occupation, preserving their stories for future generations.
AUK librarian, Ms. Asma Al Kanan, emphasized the significance of fostering community engagement and collaboration through this project, “Seeing the narratives of the OHDP program come to life bringing various segments of our community together in an interactive platform is enchanting. I’m proud of the library team and the level of support extended by the AUK administration.”
The OHDP team, Reem Alali and Abdulaziz Almahmeed, stressed that such exhibitions and interinstitutional collaborations are a natural progression of oral history projects around the world.
KIPCO senior vice president of Communications and Investor Relations, Ms. Eman Al-Awadhi, expressed her views on the significance of the exhibition, “Ever since its inception, KIPCO has been a primary supporter of the OHDP program. Education is an integral part of our portfolio, and we recognize that AUK offers a diverse range of programs that can position the institution at the forefront of academia globally. Our unwavering support for AUK is rooted in our belief that educating Kuwait's youth and equipping them with essential skills is critical. The program's significance stems from the realization that Kuwait has undergone several historical events, underscoring the paramount importance of preserving history. Notably, the availability of documented information in this region is comparatively limited, thereby emphasizing the significance of oral history in preserving Kuwait's past.”
The exhibition will also host a variety of cultural events and talks on oral history and the 1990 occupation. Visitors can attend these events to learn more about the exhibition and the importance of preserving oral history.
To listen to the oral history interviews, visit the OHDP website:
https://oralhistory.auk.edu.kw/gallery
Group photo with Dr. Rawda Awwad, Ms. Asma Al Kanan, Ms. Eman Al Awadhi, and library staff
Dr. Rawda Awwad, Ms. Asma Al Kanan, and Ms. Hana Kaouri
OHDP team, Reem Alali and Abdulaziz Almahmeed
Group photo of attendees
Ms. Eman Al Awadhi