Festival invites tourists, locals to enjoy Jordan Valley’s ‘warmth, nature, organic products’

AMMAN — The fifth annual Khubaizeh Festival, which aims to support local farmers and producers, draw attention to organic products, bridge the gap between producers and consumers and encourage tourism, was launched on a farm in Southern Shouneh on Friday.

The festival, organised by Children of the Valley, is scheduled to last five weeks, ending on March 21, Children of the Valley Founder Mohammad Atiyeh told The Jordan Times on Monday.

The festival provides visitors with healthy, natural and fresh products at a reasonable price, which will be available at the festival’s market each Friday and Saturday, Atiyeh said.

Khubaizeh Festival also aspires to raise awareness about the benefits of organic products and their role in avoiding diseases which result from utilising chemical substances on plants during pest control processes.  

Underscoring the unity of the East and West Banks of the Jordan Valley, Atiyeh said that the festival also seeks to attract attendees from the West Bank.

“This year, the festival witnessed the participation of 14 Palestinians who travelled across the river to attend the festival, compared to two participants in 2019,” he said.

The festival will include cultural activities and performances, especially on weekends, the founder noted, adding that Tuesday mornings will focus on engaging students in the activities of the Royal Society for Fine Arts’ mobile museum, he added.

Encouraging people to book in advance for festival events and activities, Atiyeh said that earlier reservations help organisers provide better services so that visitors can enjoy the “warmth, nature and organic products” of the Jordan Valley.

He also noted that the farm’s location can be found on google maps under “Children of the Valley” or at the website www.peacewadi.com.