Over the weekend, my daughter and I got to experience a wonderful Korean-style Kashta experience with the Madang Korean Cultural Center in Kuwait. To the readers who are new to the term “Kashta”, it is defined as a “Kuwaiti tradition of enjoying a picnic in the open desert away from busy life.”

The event took place next to the seaside on the grassy fields of Safir Fintas Hotel and even though it wasn’t in a desert, the entire experience did capture the feel and ambiance of a kashta.

We arrived a little late, but were just on time to observe the Hanji crafts laid out on the tables. A while back, I had written about our Hanji workshop experience at the Madang cultural centre. Hanji is basically the Korean word for traditional handmade paper made in Korea, and it is then used to make elaborate sculptures and artistic objects like lamps.

After the crafting sessions, we took a food break and were presented with a delicious array of Korean specialties and favourites, especially street foods.

We savoured the food inside cozy bubble tents and as the sun set, everything was illuminated and the campfire was lit up.

There was also a nice, spacious playground area for kids next to a “wooded” area.

This was a lovely experience with a mingling of art, food, socialising, culture and ambiance which is honestly one of the best combinations for any kind of event. I hope to see many more events and experiences like this in Kuwait that embrace these qualities!