AMMAN — HH Princess Dana Firas, president of the Petra National Trust (PNT) and UNESCO goodwill ambassador for Cultural Heritage, on Monday attended the inauguration of the exhibition “Portraits of Women – Beyond the Stones” at the Cultural Centre – Bayt Yaish in Jabal Luweibdeh.

 

PNT organised the event in a joint effort with the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage (ALIPH) and the participation of the UNESCO Office in Jordan.

 

The opening was attended by a group of experts in cultural heritage, university professors, directors of the German Protestant Institute of Archaeology and the British Institute in Amman.

 

The event highlighted 10 women from Jordan and the wider region who are preserving Jordanian and regional cultural heritage, whether through professional roles, community-based initiatives, or voluntary efforts.

 

It presents their stories and personal and professional experiences through photographs and accompanying testimonies.

 

Six of the women featured in the exhibition participated in the panel, representing multiple experiences in heritage-related work in Jordan, including archaeologists, researchers, and specialists in oral traditions and natural heritage, as well as community practitioners.

 

Their stories reflected the diversity of women’s roles in protecting cultural heritage and their ability to lead impactful initiatives despite social, professional, and environmental challenges, the organisers noted.

 

The organisers added that four other women included in the exhibition are all ALIPH grantees leading heritage protection and restoration projects in Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq and Palestine.

 

In her opening remaks, Princess Dana emphasised that heritage protection extends beyond monuments and archaeological sites to include living communities, stories and traditions that continue to shape identity and meaning.

 

Princess Dana highlighted the vital link between cultural heritage, climate resilience, recovery and strengthening social cohesion, underscoring the importance of supporting women professionals and local leaders working in the heritage sector.

 

The princess also noted Jordan’s role as a regional platform for cultural dialogue and heritage protection, while recognising that many women continue to work quietly behind the scenes despite their significant impact.

 

She expressed appreciation to the ALIPH Foundation, UNESCO, and all the women featured in the exhibition for their dedication and contributions to safeguarding cultural heritage.

 

Director of Communications and Partnerships at the ALIPH Foundation and curator of the exhibition Sandra Bialystok said that ALIPH’s mission to protect cultural heritage endangered by conflict, crisis and climate change is rooted in the conviction that a flexible, local and sustainable approach is critical to ensuring that the world’s cultural memory is not lost.

 

“Often, women are the cornerstones to realising this work. This exhibition with PNT brings a story-centred approach to feature just a few of the remarkable women throughout the region who are bringing their unique skills to contribute to this collective mission,” Bialystok underscored.

 

Noha A. Bawazir, UNESCO representative to Jordan and head of office, said that at UNESCO, “we envision heritage, in both its tangible and intangible forms, as a living legacy that connects communities to their identity while helping shape their future.”

 

“In Jordan and across the region, empowering women as leaders in the cultural heritage sector is essential to advancing inclusive and sustainable development, Bawazir added.

 

“This requires strong partnerships between governments, civil society, and international organisations, while placing local expertise and community engagement at the heart of safeguarding efforts.”

 

“Only by working together can we protect heritage in ways that are meaningful, resilient, and locally grounded,” Bawazir underlined.

 

The exhibition will remain open to the public throughout June in the garden of the Cultural Centre – Bayt Yaish, offering visitors the opportunity to engage with women involved with cultural heritage.