Kuwait Celebrates Its Liberation day

This is the time of the double celebration for Kuwait as it celebrates its National Day and Liberation Day. One of the most important dates for the people of Kuwait, Liberation Day is celebrated every year on 26 February and commemorates the liberation of Kuwait by the Allied forces from seven months of Iraqi occupation after the first Gulf War on February 26, 1991. It marks the end of the Iraqi occupation of the country which began from August 1990.This day is characterized by people getting together to revel in the spirit of freedom. From 1991 onwards the Liberation Day of Kuwait is celebrated with huge rejoice by the Kuwaitis. If you are in Kuwait during this day you will find that there are public gatherings and get-together held all over Kuwait on this day.
We decided to check out the celebration and so went to Kuwait city and Salmiya. Ya, we got to see the first hand celebration of this special day. Also we were invited for lunch by our friend Ronita ba. She stays in Salmiya. So we also had the opportunity to check out the celebration from her flat. Just like on National Day,even today the flag of Kuwait is raised high over every high rise building and the Kuwaitis come down to the streets, congratulate each other, wave flags and dance in the streets. During this time, items depicting the Kuwait flag or its colors are sold in large quantities. Flags, dresses, t-shirts, hats, hair accessories and other items are sold at hundreds of different places all around Kuwait.The cars are decorated with flags and some have a flag painted on their vehicles or the side windows. Such is the zeal and enthusiasm among Kuwaitis. Foam cans are the hottest sales on the National and Liberation Day of Kuwait. It is sold in different locations throughout Kuwait. On this day teens and adolescents celebrate by spraying untold volumes of foam on passing vehicles, people and even at each other. Kids on both sides of the road do not let any car pass without spraying on them. On Gulf Road some kids had started spraying foam on passing cars and our car too was not spared. It was an atmosphere of celebration and gaiety, and I felt as if the entire Kuwait is one the streets. There were so many cars that it was virtually impossible to get anywhere. We had to spend hours in traffic jam.
Many Kuwaitis celebrate by spending part of the holiday at beach chalets or desert camps while some go to Dubai or other nearby destinations.
However, the day also has a tinge of sorrow mixed with it. Liberation Day at Kuwait is also the day of remembering those thousands of people who lost their lives while resisting the Iraqis, all the innocent lives who are lost forever due to the sudden attacks and not forgetting those Prisoners of War who are held captive in Iraqi jails.