Amman, July 23 (Petra) – National events are a vital driver of economic development, tourism promotion, and Jordan’s regional and international standing, experts emphasized on Wednesday .
Festivals, economic exhibitions, international conferences, and cultural and sporting events help stimulate key sectors such as hospitality, transportation, trade, and services, generating economic momentum and creating job opportunities for citizens. These activities also showcase Jordan’s cultural identity and unique tourism assets, enhancing its image as a safe and attractive destination in the region.
Politically and diplomatically, such events provide platforms for Jordan to express its positions, engage in regional and global dialogue, and strengthen international cooperation. Many events also channel proceeds to humanitarian causes and solidarity campaigns, reinforcing Jordan’s regional commitments.
Speaking to the Jordan News Agency (Petra), experts in culture, tourism, and creative industries stressed that cultural festivals are not merely celebratory gatherings but powerful tools of peaceful resistance and national identity reinforcement.
Dr. Bader Al-Madi, Professor of Political Sociology at the German Jordanian University, said cultural festivals are essential vehicles for transmitting a community’s identity and must be supported by cohesive political, economic, and cultural systems. Culture, he explained, plays a key role in shaping collective consciousness, enabling societies to form a shared awareness just as potent as political or military mobilization especially in support of causes like Palestine.
He stressed that cultural expression in all its forms is a powerful instrument of peaceful resistance, vital for building societal resilience, particularly among youth increasingly disconnected from traditional culture amid digital disruption. Al-Madi cautioned against reducing festivals like Jerash to mere entertainment, noting their significance in delivering Jordan’s cultural message globally.
“The absence or hesitation in holding cultural events weakens Jordan’s soft power and raises doubts about its ability to express itself freely,” he added, calling for unified cultural messaging and a firm reaffirmation of national identity in response to developments in Palestine and Gaza.
Mona Sleihat, Head of the Tourism Management Department at the University of Jordan, said cultural and tourism festivals such as Jerash serve as effective platforms for expressing national and Arab causes, particularly the Palestinian cause.
She highlighted the importance of integrating cultural content that reflects the voice of Palestine and the suffering of Gaza’s people through plays, musical performances, and short films. Dedicating part of event proceeds to Gaza aid efforts further strengthens the humanitarian dimension, turning festivals into real spaces for solidarity.
Sleihat emphasized that embedding a humanitarian element in cultural tourism adds emotional depth and elevates events from mere entertainment to meaningful educational experiences that promote national identity and cultural values.
She stressed the need for balance between festive atmospheres and sensitivity to humanitarian crises, recommending symbolic segments, peace messages, and mindful media discourse that honors public sentiment without dampening the celebratory spirit.
“Art and cultural tourism are forms of resistance, enhancing human solidarity and delivering powerful messages through exhibitions, performances, and stories that reflect global struggles,” she said.
Director Ali Olayan said that enlightenment-based cultural thinking has diminished, even as festivals generate tourism revenue, strengthen Jordan’s image, and help support Palestine through economic empowerment.
“A stronger economy means a greater capacity to deliver aid to Gaza,” Aliyan said, warning that economic weakness undermines moral resilience in the face of injustice.
He added that international guests at events like Jerash or the Amman International Theater Festival are introduced to Jordan’s archaeological treasures such as Petra, Jerash, Gadara, Mount Nebo, and the Dead Sea turning cultural visits into broader tourism experiences.
“Supporting cultural initiatives is not a luxury,” he concluded, “but a national, economic, and social imperative that safeguards Jordan’s identity and elevates its regional and global influence.”
//Petra// AF
23/07/2025 20:56:02
