Amman, July 21 (Petra) – Preparations have been completed for the
40th Jerash Festival for Culture and Arts, with organizers unveiling
upgraded infrastructure, expanded visitor services and a diverse
cultural and artistic program featuring Jordanian, Arab and
international performers.

Jerash Festival Executive Director Yazan Khudair, who also serves as
adviser to the minister of culture, announced the preparations during
a Government
Communication Forum held Tuesday at the Ministry of Government
Communication under the title, “Jerash Festival Events in Its 40th
Edition.”

Khudair said this year’s edition will feature major infrastructure
upgrades, including 3D lighting at Hadrian’s Gate and the newly built
Hippodrome Theater, which has a seating capacity of about 3,000 and
is expected to become one of the festival’s main venues in future
editions.

He said the festival’s crafts market will feature broad participation
by local women displaying food products, handicrafts and traditional
embroidery, alongside a pavilion showcasing products made by inmates
of the Rehabilitation and Reform Department. Eleven Arab and foreign
embassies will also participate through dedicated pavilions equipped
with enhanced visitor facilities.

The festival has also redesigned the Oval Plaza (Forum) with
additional seating and rest areas, while the Colonnaded Street has
been transformed into an arts corridor hosting exhibitions by
Jordanian artists, live music performances, painting and caricature
displays.

Khudair said the theatrical program includes performances of One
Thousand and One Nights by Lebanon’s Caracalla Dance Theatre and Umm
Kulthum’s Musical Play, which chronicles the life of the legendary
Egyptian singer.

The festival’s main stage will also host performances by Majida El
Roumi, Tamer Hosny, George Wassouf, Abadi Johar, Ahmed Saad,
Al-Shami, Elissa, Abeer Ne’me, Marwan Khoury and the Circassian
Ensemble.

The North Theater will present a diverse lineup of Jordanian and
international performances featuring Lebanese-French trumpeter and
composer Ibrahim Maalouf, Moroccan artist Amin Manchar, Jordanian
composer Talal Abu Ragheb, Tunisian singer Dorsaf Hamdani and the
Phoenix Light Show Group.

Khudair added that the Hippodrome Theater will host folklore and
cultural exchange groups from more than 20 countries, noting that all
participating artists and troupes have confirmed their attendance,
reflecting confidence in Jordan’s security and stability.

To facilitate access to the festival, organizers have partnered with
the Jordan Express Tourist Transport (JETT) Company to provide
round-trip transportation from Amman and several governorates to
Jerash for JD6 per person. Shuttle buses will operate between parking
areas and festival venues, while a ride-hailing company will provide
transportation services at competitive rates.

Ticket prices for South Theater performances range from JD25 to JD50,
with a new “Families and Friends” category introduced at JD15 per
ticket. North Theater tickets range from JD15 to JD25, while seats in
the right and left wings are priced at JD10.

Khudair said visitor services have also been expanded, including
increasing the number of restrooms from six to 16. A total of 115
volunteers were selected through the Crown Prince Foundation’s
“Nahno” platform, with priority given to residents of Jerash
Governorate.

For the first time, the festival also accepted applications for
emcees through an online platform. More than 90 candidates applied,
and a specialized committee representing Jordan Television, the
Jordanian Artists Association, the Ministry of Culture and the
festival administration selected 10 presenters following auditions.

Khudair said the opening ceremony will feature an artistic production
tracing the evolution of Jordanian music from singer Abdo Mousa to
today’s generation, enhanced by 3D visual technology to mark the
festival’s 40th edition.

He credited the successful preparations to close cooperation with the
Ministry of Interior, Jerash Governorate, the Ministry of Culture,
Jordan Television, Royal Jordanian Airlines and security agencies.

Speaking at the forum, Ministry of Government Communication
Secretary-General Zaid Nawaisah said the Jerash Festival reflects a
national vision that promotes culture and the arts while reinforcing
Jordan’s cultural standing regionally and internationally.

He said the festival has become a leading platform for Jordanian and
Arab creativity, fostering cultural dialogue and exchange while
showcasing the Kingdom’s artistic, cultural and civilizational
achievements.

Nawaisah also stressed the importance of local community
participation, noting that the festival contributes to promoting
Jordan as a cultural and tourism destination while supporting
economic and social activity in Jerash Governorate.

//Petra// AJ