‘Intercultural communication breeds creativity’

AMMAN — HRH Prince Hassan on Tuesday said that communication between cultures is vital for creativity to flourish, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Speaking at a meeting held at the Arab Thought Forum (ATF) as part of the “Book Club” series, Prince Hassan said that creativity demanded “intensive efforts” to constantly enhance communication between different cultures and extend cultural bridges through dialogue and harmony. 

The meeting, held under the title “Translating Classical Works of World Heritage into Arabic”, covered the efforts of the deceased scholar Mahmoud Ali Al Ghoul (1923-1983) who translated “The Aeneid” by Virgil and the literary criticism of Quintus Horatius Flaccus. 

Prince Hassan said that to speak about Al Nahda (Renaissance), scientific and cultural content must be produced by citizens who are proud of their identity.

Open-mindedness and cultural sophistication demand cultural translation, which also breeds understanding, the prince said. 

During the meeting, chaired by ATF Secretary General Mohammad Abu Hammour, a number of attendees, academics and researchers discussed Ghoul’s academic work.

Former prime minister Adnan Badran talked about Ghoul’s work at Yarmouk University, noting that he assumed several administrative positions and worked as a teacher of Arabic, while at the same time researching and teaching other Semitic languages.