Jerash Festival focuses this year’s celebrations on Palestinian cause

AMMAN — Director of the Jerash Festival Ayman Samawi announced on Sunday that the Southern Theatre's activities will be cancelled for the first time in 40 years in solidarity with Gaza.

Samawi told Mamlaka on Sunday that there will be artistic and cultural programmes under two main themes; celebrating national occasions and showing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

He said that the 38th edition will be held under the slogan “The Promise Continues”. 

Samawi added that the festival’s activities will include art and cultural messages supporting the resilience of people in Gaza, reflecting Jordan’s firm stance under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah.

The director mentioned the presence of donation boxes, at the entrance to the archaeological city, from the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organisation (JHCO) for those wishing to donate 1JD to Palestinians in Gaza. 

The ticket price for the Northern Theatre will be only 2JD, with all proceeds going to the JHCO, where also a portion of the proceeds from the sale of paintings in the Arab artists’ art exhibition will support relief efforts, especially in the Gaza Strip.

He said that there will be artworks donated entirely by international, Jordanian, and Arab artists, which will be sold through the JHCO, with all proceeds going to children in Gaza, whether they are in Jordanian hospitals or in Gaza itself.

The Higher Committee of the Jerash Festival for Culture and Arts announced that the 38th edition of the festival will be held from July 24 to August 3.

The festival will also empower hundreds of local women by allowing them to sell their products directly to festival visitors, alongside hundreds of craftspeople and nearly 1,000 participants from various art fields, including heritage groups, musical bands and theatrical performances, Samawi said.