Jerash festival a sign of Jordanian unity, stability — organisers

JERASH — At the opening ceremony of the Jerash Festival for Culture and Arts, audiences enjoyed an evening of musical performances and poetry recitals, kicking off the 10-day celebration.

The ceremony, attended by Prime
Minister Hani Mulki, Amman Mayor Aqel Biltaji, Jerash Mayor Ali Qoqazeh and several senior officials, started with a musical band playing the national anthem, followed by a poem recital by Salah Jarrar.

Biltaji, who is also the head of the event’s high committee, said the 31st iteration of the festival reflects Jordanian culture and art as well as Jordanians’ unity in all aspects. 

He said the higher committee worked on increasing public-private sector collaboration, with companies from the private sector contributing financially and logistically, in addition to the contribution of Jerash’s local community. 

Qoqazeh said the festival, held in the ancient Greco-Roman city of Jerash, some 48km north of Amman, highlights Jordan’s safety and stability. 

He said the event is one of the economic gains of the Jerash Municipality, which “worked in harmony” with the festival’s administration towards the development of the governorate. 

“As the world is busy with war and fighting”, Jordan still celebrates culture and art under the safety provided by the country’s security bodies and its institutions, Qoqazeh added. 

The audience also enjoyed a musical performance of the Great Arab Revolt song “The Pen and the Sword”, in which several singers and dancers performed together, to notable interaction from the audience. 

Several audience members said they are looking forward to the rest of the festival, which includes musical performances, poetry recitals and exhibitions showcasing handicraft, food products and other traditional items, to be set up in cooperation with various societies in Jerash.

Major local and Arab vocal artists — such as Iraqi singer Kadim Al Saher and Lebanese singers Najwa Karam and Assi El Helani — are scheduled to perform at the festival.

At the end of the ceremony, Mulki, who was deputising for His Majesty King Abdullah, lit the festival’s flame.

Information regarding the programmes, artists and the festival is available on www.jerashfestival.jo and www.facebook.com/Festival.Jarash/.