KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Ministry of Information launched on Wednesday the second phase of its TV archiving project, aimed at preserving the content produced by the country’s national television network.

The project, which began its first phase nearly 10 years ago in 2016, involves the restoration, copying, cataloging, and archiving of old cinematic films and magnetic television tapes. The Kuwait Television Library houses films of significant cultural, historical, and educational value that must be properly preserved for future generations. By offering a comprehensive solution for storing and accessing these films, the project plays a crucial role in safeguarding Kuwait’s cultural heritage.

Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi, Minister of Information, Culture, and State Minister for Youth Affairs, highlighted that the archiving project represents a critical step in advancing Kuwait’s media infrastructure. He noted that the first phase successfully laid the groundwork for the initiative, focusing on documenting and preserving Kuwait’s rich media heritage.

Looking ahead to the second phase, Al-Mutairi expressed optimism about the transformation of TV content preservation. He emphasized that the new phase would streamline digital search and retrieval processes, ensuring the protection of valuable media assets and facilitating innovation in the media sector. Additionally, this phase will make Kuwait’s history more accessible to researchers and those interested in the country’s cultural legacy.

The project aims to digitize at least 220,000 hours of archival television content, with efforts focused on classification and description. Al-Mutairi pointed out that one of the key advantages of this initiative is the ability to reinvest the archived content in new, innovative ways, thus enhancing its media and cultural value. It also opens up new opportunities for use in the educational, cultural, and artistic sectors.

This archiving initiative aligns with the ministry’s broader vision of achieving full digital transformation, utilizing modern technology to efficiently manage media assets and improve operational capabilities.

Al-Mutairi reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to enhancing its technical and human resources, stressing the importance of investing in qualified national staff and adopting international best practices in digital archiving and media preservation to ensure the delivery of high-quality services that align with Kuwait’s developmental goals.

He also expressed his gratitude to all those who contributed to the success of this project, including the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Science, specialized working teams, private sector partners, and all supporting entities that played a vital role in the project’s progress. — KUNA