Jerash gets ready for Bocelli concert

AMMAN — World-famous Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli will preform to some 3,500 music enthusiasts in Jerash this evening, accompanied by an array of celebrated artists, including Jordanian soprano Dima Bawab.

The concert will take place at the oval plaza of the archaeological site, which was chosen by Bocelli’s team, according to organisers.

Bawab told the Jordan News Agency, Petra, on Saturday that she would perform a solo song then a duet with the Italian artist, before joining other artists accompanying the tenor. 

According to Petra, the concert will be divided into two parts: the first one during which Bocelli will sing classics, while the second will include his personal hits.

The concert has been promoted as a major summertime event to attract tourists to the Kingdom, due to the world popularity of the artist, who has sold more than 80 million copies of his recorded works, according to Petra. 

Tourism Minister Lina Annab recently noted that the tourism scene in Jordan has shown signs of recovery lately, with growing numbers of tourists. She attributed the increase to several factors including the active role played by the private sector.

She cited Friends of Jordan Festivals, the society organising today’s event, as one of the main contributors to tourism promotion through its activities. 

Concerts like Bocelli’s, she told The Jordan Times recently, have attracted many tourists to the Kingdom. 

“We saw some nationalities which did not use to come to Jordan, becoming regulars of the country’s tourist attractions and entertainment events,” she said. 

At a press conference held to publicise today’s concert, the minister noted that tour agencies should take advantage of such events by offering tourism packages to visitors in order to further contribute to the tourism scene in the Kingdom.

Souha Bawab, the executive director of Friends of Jordan Festivals, echoed Annab’s sentiments: “In one of our big concerts, 30 per cent of attendees came from abroad. This indicates how much such shows contribute in increasing the number of visitors to the Kingdom.”