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AMMAN — Deputising for His Majesty King Abdullah, Prime Minister Jafar Hassan on Wednesday patronised the official opening ceremony of the 40th edition of the Jerash Festival for Culture and Arts, held at the North Theatre in the ancient Roman city.
Hassan lit the festival torch, officially marking the launch of this year’s edition, which is held under the theme “A Legacy Extends... Generations Meet”, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.
Minister of Culture and Chairman of the Festival’s Higher Committee Mustafa Rawashdeh delivered the official address, while Chairman of the Greater Jerash Municipal Committee Mohammad Bani Yasin spoke on behalf of the local community.
Rawashdeh described the festival as a national, cultural and human milestone, as well as a vital platform within the Jordanian, Arab and international cultural landscape through programmes that foster intercultural dialogue and exchange.
He added that the festival, held under Royal patronage, embodies the role of culture and arts as a bridge connecting peoples, bringing together diverse languages and international arts to its ancient colonnades.
Rawashdeh highlighted the significance of choosing Jerash, describing the ancient site as a historic crossroads for trade and cultural exchange that continues to serve as a safe and welcoming platform for artistic and intellectual dialogue.
The minister noted that the festival reflects Jordan's vision of honouring the past, understanding the present and shaping the future, thereby documenting the national narrative of the land and its people.
He stressed that four decades of the festival’s continuity reflect Jordan’s stability and resilience, noting that the number 40 symbolises maturity, wisdom, strength and continuous giving.
Rawashdeh praised the hospitality of Jerash’s residents, noting that their welcoming spirit reflects authentic Jordanian values.
He added that the sustained staging of the festival amidst regional challenges demonstrates the Kingdom's capability to modernise its cultural offerings using modern technology to engage younger generations and showcase Jordan's heritage.
This year's theme, "A Legacy Extends... Generations Meet", aims to reinforce national identity, promote diversity, and contribute to sustainable development, Rawashdeh noted, reaffirming Jordan’s standing as a land of civilisation, culture and knowledge.
For his part, Bani Yasin emphasised that Jerash remains a city of history and civilisation, preserving timeless memories among its pillars.
He described the festival as a national showcase of Jordanian cultural identity, stressing that culture fosters dialogue and builds awareness.
Investing in culture, he added, is an investment in human capital, noting that local institutions in Jerash are key partners in the festival's success.
The ceremony featured a special opening show celebrating the festival’s 40th anniversary, charting the evolution of Jordanian music from traditional folklore through independent and alternative genres to contemporary productions.
Combining live performances, an orchestra, a choir, visual projections, and modern lighting, the production presented an artistic narrative highlighting four decades of creativity.
Divided into five consecutive chapters moving from roots and memory to regional and global reach, the performance concluded with the official 40th-anniversary song and thelighting of the festival torch, an annual tradition symbolising the enduring cultural mission of the festival and its role in consolidating Jordan’s position on the Arab cultural map.
A lineup of prominent Jordanian artists participated in the performance, including Omar Al Abdallat, dubbed "the Voice of Jordan", alongside Hussein Salman, Aziz Maraka, Nedaa Shrara, and Issam Najjar.
The festival’s activities begin on Thursday and run through 2 August.
