Kuwaiti flags flutter on a boat as Kuwaits launch the Hala shopping festival in Kuwait City on January 29, 2010. The festival, which takes place until February 24, kicked off with a parade which attracted thousands of people to the streets of the Gulf emirate. The festival marks the beginning of the National and Liberation Day celebrations, which fall on February 25 and 26 respectively. AFP PHOTO/YASSER AL-ZAYYAT (Photo credit should read YASSER AL-ZAYYAT/AFP/Getty Images)