AMMAN — Minister of Culture and Chairman of the Higher Committee of the Jerash Festival for Culture and Arts Mustafa Rawashdeh on Monday stressed that the festival represents a national cultural milestone that elevates artistic and cultural taste, enhances creative production, and contributes to comprehensive and sustainable development.

 

Chairing the first meeting of the Higher Committee for the festival’s 40th edition, Rawashdeh said all programmes and activities are aligned with the state’s discourse and the Jordanian narrative, reflecting the history of the land and its people within a broader human context, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

 

He added that the Jerash Festival is not limited to singing and music, but constitutes a celebration of human culture in its various forms, including poetry, novels, theatre, cinema, folklore, handicrafts, and fine arts, noting that several administrative and organisational measures have been adopted alongside the introduction of new spaces and programmes.

 

Outlining the festival’s lineup, Rawashdeh said the programme includes a wide range of activities, featuring 78 cultural events, including poetry evenings, seminars, and performances by University of Jordan choirs, in addition to 59 musical and singing performances.

 

He added that the current edition also comprises 20 cultural exchange activities, 19 folklore and heritage shows, 19 family and children’s activities, 11 embassy pavilion events, four theatre and dance performances, and three fine arts exhibitions.

 

Regarding the geographical distribution of events within the ancient city of Jerash, Rawashdeh said the Hippodrome will host 34 events, the Artemis Theatre 30, and the Family and Children’s Area 16. He added that 12 events are scheduled for the North Theatre, 11 for the South Theatre, 11 for the Embassy Pavilions, and three non-artistic events at the Oval Plaza.

 

In Amman and other governorates, the National Library Department will host 32 events, while 20 events will be held across various cultural sites in the governorates. The Royal Cultural Centre will host 19 events, followed by 12 at the Roman Theatre, 11 at the Odeon in downtown Amman, and two at the University of Jordan.