Voyage preserves marine heritage,Q8

A send-off ceremony, known as a Dasha, was held yesterday at the Kuwait Sea Sports Club (KSSC) headquarters in Salmiya in honor of the 200 young sailors aged from 8-17 who are currently participating in the 22nd Annual Pearl-Diving Expedition.


Parents, brothers, sisters and friends thronged the venue in the early morning to bid them farewell and wish their loved ones success on their nine-day voyage off Khairan Resort. While some of the more emotional divers shed a few tears, all the participants' faces expressed both happiness and excitement.

The annual expedition has become the most exciting event of the year for many Kuwaitis as it revives what was once the most important occupation of their forefathers in the pre-oil era. The annual event, which is held under the patronage of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah in order to preserve this national heritage, this year takes place between July 15th and 24.

Yousef Al-Najjar, the head of this year's diving expedition, was delighted to see the happy faces of participants, parents and officials. "It's another beautiful dasha for this year's pearl-diving festival. We are delighted to see these young children participating in the revival of Kuwait's most important national heritage," he told the Friday Times. "The 200 youngsters have all been excited about this event and we are looking forward for a safe return and also for the success of our expedition.

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