Jerash: Director of the Jerash Festival of Culture and Arts Yazan Al Khudair announced that Qatar's selection as the guest of honor for the festival's 40th edition highlights its significant cultural stature both regionally and internationally. This decision underscores the deep fraternal ties and growing cultural cooperation between Qatar and Jordan.
According to Qatar News Agency, Al Khudair explained that the choice reflects Qatar's influential cultural role in the Arab world and its achievements in culture, arts, and creativity. He emphasized Doha's distinguished model of using culture to connect people and foster intercultural dialogue.
Al Khudair further remarked that culture serves as a vital means of uniting societies, with Qatar exemplifying this through major cultural projects, international event hosting, and its dedication to heritage preservation while embracing global cultures. He cited Qatar's hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup as a demonstration of showcasing Arab culture to millions.
He highlighted that Qatar's international cultural presence played a role in its selection, as the country has balanced preserving its national identity with establishing a meaningful global cultural presence. Qatar's participation will include intellectual contributions through seminars, poetry evenings, and literary events, promoting dialogue among writers, intellectuals, and artists from both nations.
Al Khudair stated that hosting Qatar as a guest of honor offers a platform to spotlight a leading Arab cultural experience, noting Doha's emergence as a significant Arab cultural hub. This selection resulted from close coordination between Jordanian and Qatari authorities, with cultural ties spanning decades through agreements, joint programs, and mutual participation in cultural events.
He concluded by saying that Qatar's involvement adds a Gulf dimension to the festival, offering audiences a unique cultural perspective and enhancing the Jerash Festival's status as a gathering for Arab writers, intellectuals, and artists.
Al Khudair announced that the festival's 40th edition, running until Aug. 2, marks a milestone celebrating four decades of cultural achievements. It commemorates the festival's evolution into one of the Arab world's leading cultural platforms since its inception in 1980.
The festival has hosted prominent Arab and international artists, facilitating cultural exchange and introducing Jordanian culture globally. The 40th edition aims to preserve the festival's legacy while continuing its development through a diverse program appealing to all societal segments.
The program includes over 220 cultural and artistic events, with cultural activities comprising 60 percent. Approximately 120 events will occur within Jerash's ancient city, complemented by activities at the Royal Cultural Center and other venues across Jordan.
This year's festival also features expanded family-oriented and entertainment programs, including theatrical performances and children's shows, along with international group performances. For the first time, a new venue within Jerash's archaeological city will host larger audiences, broadening participation and enhancing the festival experience.