Being a highly cosmopolitan society, Kuwait
has a diverse and vibrant culture. The influence of Islamic and
Arab culture on its architecture, music, attire, cuisine and
lifestyle is prominent as well. The most distinctive
characteristic of local Kuwaiti culture are the diwaniyas, a
large reception room used for social gatherings attended mostly
by close family members. While the Islamic dress code is not
compulsory, unlike neighboring Saudi Arabia, many of the older
Kuwaiti men prefer wearing thawb, an ankle-length white shirt
woven from wool or cotton while the minority of women wear abaya,
black over-garment covering most parts of the body. This attire
is particularly well-suited for Kuwait's hot and dry climate.
Western-style clothing is also fairly popular, especially among
Kuwait's youth .
Kuwait's architecture is largely inspired by Islamic
architecture. The most prominent landmark in country, the Kuwait
Towers, were designed by Swedish architect Sune Lindström and
are a unique blend of traditional minaret and modern
architectural designs. The National Assembly of Kuwait, another
famous landmark building, was designed by the famous Danish
architect Jørn Utzon and completed in 1972. |
