In photos: Kuwait celebrates 60th National Day and 30th Liberation Day

On February 25, Kuwait celebrates 60 years since it gained its independence from the British mandate. While the treaty was signed in June, Kuwait’s National Day was changed to February 25 in 1963 to coincide with the date that Abdullah Al Salem became ruler of Kuwait back in 1950.

A day later, Kuwait celebrates another historic day as it marks 30 years since it was liberated from the Iraqi invasion in 1991.

This is the first National and Liberation day under the reign of the new Emir, Sheikh Nawaf Al Sabah, and the Crown Prince, Sheikh Mishal Al Sabah. Sheikh Nawaf was appointed Emir back in September after his half-brother and the late Emir, Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Sabah passed away.

While public festivities and gatherings are banned due the COVID-19 pandemic, buildings, homes and streets all over Kuwait are decorated in lights and flags.

The current flag of Kuwait takes up the Pan-Arab colors, green, red, white and black. The color symbolizes the following: green (our lands), white (our deeds), red (our swords) and black (our battles).

The first National Flag was created in 1914 under the reign of Sheikh Mubarak Al Sabah and was used up until 1961 where Kuwait embraced a new flag upon its independence.

As part of their mandate, the cooperative societies in each area are in charge of putting up the decorations and lights along the streets, the supermarkets and government owned buildings in the area.

This year National and Liberation day fall on a Thursday and Friday and so the government announced a four-day national holiday from Thursday to Sunday.

In the past, during the festive month of February there would be parades, carnivals and music events. In addition, most schools would encourage students to take part in a performance that is then aired on national TV.

Kuwait’s national anthem, Nasheed Al Watani, was first broadcasted in 1978, 17 years after Kuwait’s gained its independence.