Queen launches 24th Jordan River Designs Handicraft Exhibition

AMMAN — Her Majesty Queen Rania launched the 24th Jordan River Designs Handicrafts Exhibition on Wednesday, presenting a collection of items handcrafted by women from local communities. 

Her Majesty, accompanied by Jordan River Foundation (JRF) Director General Enaam Barrishi, toured the exhibition, viewing this year’s collection of wall hangings, coffee tables, cushions, baskets, rugs, candles, and fashion accessories, according to a statement from Her Majesty’s office.

During the tour, the Queen met with a group of the foundation’s partners and donors and thanked them for their support, noting that the sale of local women’s handiworks has a significant impact on their livelihoods and their ability to support their families.

Her Majesty also met with a group of female artisans, who shared their experiences with JRF’s social and economic empowerment programmes. Queen Rania, in turn, commended the women for the extraordinary effort put into designing and handcrafting each item on display. 

Held at the JRF showroom in Abdoun, the 2021 exhibition celebrates Jordanian folklore and the country’s nomadic and rural heritage under the title, “The Jordan You Love, Handmade”. 

This year, more than 520 women have been empowered with entrepreneurial training and employment opportunities through JRF’s social enterprise projects, which include Jordan River Designs, Bani Hamidah Designs, Al Karma Embroidery and Wadi Al Rayan Designs.