The Mary Poppins song at the very end of the original movie is perhaps one of my all-time favorite melodies. Kites also remind me of the unfortunate Charlie Brown and his constant defeat at kite flying, yet he is forever hopeful. Simple paper and string can evoke whimsy, hope and a challenge waiting to be conquered.
Growing up, I would buy a kite whenever we went to the beach and would fly it for as long as the wind would allow me to. They almost always ended up crashing. Like most things, I probably thought I was better at it than I actually was. But it wasn’t until I saw a team of skilled kite whisperers who can maneuver huge show kites that I realized the true inadequacy of my abilities. The Al-Farsi Kite team have been flying kites since 1995, and have travelled the world taking part in shows and festivals representing Kuwait.
The team is part of the Voluntary Work Center and they are quite active in the local community by hosting weekly meetups on Fridays during the cooler months for the public.
Watching the gigantic show kites in their different colors, characters and shapes is delightful, no matter how old you are.
Every February they celebrate Kuwait and organize a festival during the National and Liberation day holidays. This year’s show is going to be their 18th time to host this event, and we are already planning to go. On regular Fridays, there is already so much to do from flying the kites to hitting the food trucks that are usually parked nearby for watching bystanders.
During the festival weekend, it is a true fun-fest; there are special corners for children’s games and tents full of activities. You can easily spend the entire day there, and it is the perfect opportunity to get outside and enjoy the fresh air. Photography enthusiasts are in for a real treat too, regardless of their skill level. Whether you take shots of the vibrant kites in the air or as they take off, the photos are always striking. But you should definitely visit on a non-festival weekend to be able to get nearer to the kites as they are being filled with air and prepped.
Every year more people make the trek to Bneidar to take part in the fun. The organizers have estimated that they received five to six thousand attendants, so it might be a good idea to get there early so you can have as much fun as you can.
If you are interested in helping out you can become a member of their team through the Voluntary Work Center by visiting kuwaitvolunteers.org. You can find the Al-Farsi Kite Team in Bneidar every Friday until the end of March. The Hala February Festival will be held on February 25 – 29 this year. For timings, location and more information, follow Al-Farsi Kite Team on Instagram @alfarsikite.
