By way of Nawara Fattahova

KUWAIT: Many of us are nonetheless excited by historical past and heritage, together with previous books. On the old fashioned Youm Al-Bahaar village at the beach, guests can to find the Kuwait Heritage Library that was once introduced in 2008. The books listed here are for each studying and sale.

The landlord of the library, Saleh Al-Misbah, could also be the landlord of the most important private library in Kuwait, with over 120,000 books. Misbah is a researcher in Kuwait historical past and collector of uncommon publications together with books, magazines, newspapers and videocassettes. He’s an writer and co-author of a number of books, a expert at Al-Fanar Kuwait Middle for Documenting Humanitarian Paintings, and was once a board member of various societies and associations and editor-in-chief of Al-Bayan mag.

“I’ve over 50,000 books at house. I’ve additionally rented a garage position, the place I’ve over 60,000 books. I even have 120 cartons of magazines and videocassettes. That is my pastime,” he informed Kuwait Instances. “This pastime began in 1975 when I used to be a pupil in secondary faculty, once I visited the Islamic Books Exhibition. In the similar 12 months, the Nationwide Council for Tradition, Arts and Letters held the Arabic E book Truthful, which has been held once a year since that 12 months. When I graduated from faculty in 1981, I began gathering literature works, as this was once my box of analysis. Later, I graduated from the Faculty of Training at Kuwait College, and began gathering poetry books,” Misbah mentioned.

Inspiration

In 1984, he were given impressed for a unconditionally new assortment. “I learn an interview a couple of British guy who was once a collector of first-issue English magazines. This impressed me to begin gathering the primary problem of Arabic magazines. I began gathering magazines of various schools of Kuwait College. Then I went to the newspaper space in Shuwaikh looking for the primary problem of newspapers and magazines, however sadly maximum of them didn’t have it,” he identified.

“This was once my greatest problem – to search out the primary problem of all of the magazines and newspapers. The primary Kuwaiti mag ‘Al Kuwait’ was once revealed in 1928, and I gained this problem as a present. When I learn this mag, I discovered there’s a guide with the similar knowledge written by means of Abdulaziz Al-Rsheid, who travelled to more than a few international locations,” added Misbah.

Misbah is specialised in Kuwait and Arabian Gulf publications. “I used to be solely gathering uncommon books, however many different creditors do this. So, I began gathering the primary problem of the magazines and newspapers. If I discover a uncommon replica of a guide or mag, I can purchase multiple, to have a reserve replica for exchanging with different creditors. Now I’ve over 6,000 first copies of magazines from all over the world,” he informed Kuwait Instances.

Misbah basically specializes in Kuwaiti publications in each Arabic and English, then Arabic-only publications. He’s additionally excited by world publications written by means of Kuwaitis. “Once in a while I purchase many books in a compendium, then solely make a choice one or two books out of it. Some books I promote or donate to international locations in Africa. I additionally give away some books as presents. Other people additionally all the time convey me books as presents,” he added.

Exhibition

In 1989, Misbah participated in an exhibition for the primary time. “This was once the ‘Lecturers’ Leisure pursuits Exhibition’, as I used to be a instructor at the moment. They interviewed me on radio, and from that time, other people began figuring out me, as my pastime was once one thing new. This inspired me to proceed gathering. Other people get started calling to promote, give or change books with me. Once in a while I purchase cartons of books from people who accumulate books discarded from some ministries,” mentioned Misbah.

The worth of his books levels from KD 1 as much as KD 2,000. “As an example, the worth of ‘Kuwait Historical past’ by means of writer Abdulaziz Al-Rsheid in two portions is KD 2,000. As I had an enormous amount of books, I determined to release this library to alleviate force on my space. I permit other people to learn the books or purchase them. I even have an account on Instagram for the library: @kuwait_heritage_library. My daughter additionally has a distinct account on Instagram: @Bookgardenkw.”

Misbah will get his books from other resources together with native auctions held in diwaniyas and on-line from more than a few world web pages. His library is specifically categorised in some way no longer observed in different libraries. His private account on Twitter and Instagram is: @Saleh_Misbah. The Heritage Library is open day-to-day from 5:00 pm to ten:00 pm.

Every other heritage library – Abdulaziz Al-Sanad – is positioned in Kaifan and opened in 2021. It contains books on Kuwait and Gulf international locations. However the books are just for studying and no longer on the market. It opens day-to-day from 12 pm to 4:30 pm. The 3rd heritage library is on the Kuwait Heritage Society, which contains uncommon Kuwaiti publications, additionally for show and studying solely. It opened in 2017. It’s open each and every Tuesday from 7:00 pm to ten:00 pm.