Kuwait, July 15, 2010:  Gulf Bank announced today its sponsorship of the 22nd memorial journey for Pearl Diving. The journey, which begins from the 15 July until 24 July, is organized each year by Kuwait Sea Sport, the Committee of the Marine Heritage, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Amir of Kuwait.

Fawzy Al Thunayan, General Manager-Board Affairs at Gulf Bank: "Pearl diving in Kuwait has long been part of the local rich heritage, as the economic life in Kuwait in the pre-oil era was basically reliant on two major activities that represented the only source of income for the Kuwaities, namely, pearl diving and trade.  To honour the traditions and reminisce the ancient ways of our forefathers, every year a pearl diving festival is held. Gulf Bank is a firm believer in the importance of heritage and in preserving the traditions of Kuwait's unique past."

The Kuwaiti sailors would use dhows to sail great distances away from their families, and these journeys last for many months. Now, during the yearly memorial journey, young participants and new Kuwaiti generations are reminded of the difficulties our forefathers faced in earning their living, along with urging these generations to hold to the traditions and values our ancestors developed during that time.

Gulf Bank continues to maintain and strengthen its position as an integral part of the Kuwaiti society, stressing the importance of preserving the true Kuwaiti identity and the Kuwaiti traditions and customs, through sponsoring different events.

The divers participating in the memorial journey

One of the dhows participating in the memorial

journey