AMMAN -- The 25th Jerash Festival of Culture and Arts opens tonight under the patronage of Their Majesties King Abdullah and Queen Rania, with a diverse line-up of international artists.
The festival is celebrating its silver jubilee by extending its festivities to 24 days for the first time.
Opening night activities will be held at the South Theatre, led by Iraqi singer and composer Kathem Saher.
Jordanian vocalists Rose Al Werr, Caroline Madi and Samah Bassam, accompanied by the National Jordanian Orchestra, will also perform at the South Theatre after the opening ceremony.
Renowned Arab singers will take part in the festival, which will run through August 17 and includes a versatile cultural and artistic programme that will include broad local, Arab and international participation.
The lineup of singers includes Hani Shaker, Latifa Al Tunisia, Wadi Al Safi, Najwa Karam, Assi Hilani, Nancy Ajram and Fares Karram.
Iraqi singer Majed Al Muhandis and Hussein Al Jasmi from the Gulf will also perform in the festival, as well Omar Abdullat.
Lebanese singer Fadel Shaker will most probably not take part in the event due to his mother's death, according to the festival spokesperson, Lima Nabil.
"Although we have not been officially informed, Shaker's office announced that the singer had cancelled all his commitments."
The famous American Latino funk and hip-hop group Ozomatli will perform at the festival at the South Theatre on July 26 and stage another performance in Aqaba on July 27.
An array of activities and cultural events are also on the festival agenda, such as "International Oud Day".
This year, the festival will highlight the nay, with the participation of major nay players from the Arab world and the region.
National and international troupes will perform at the North Theatre, while the Artimes Theatre will be the venue for several children's plays.
Various musical and artistic evenings throughout the festival will be conducted in the main square in Jerash, featuring local, Arab and international groups.
Renowned Arab actor Adel Imam will star in the "Bodyguard," which will be held in the Arena Theatre in Amman for three days starting July 30.
A poetry festival slated for July 31 will introduce foreign poetry recitals with instantaneous Arabic translation. It will also be held in Amman and other major cities such as Karak, Irbid, Zarqa and Mafraq.
Her Majesty Queen Noor, with a committee of volunteers supported by staff and students from Yarmouk University, launched the first Jerash Festival in 1981.
The festival has been cancelled twice in its history: The first was in 1982 during the Israeli invasion of southern Lebanon and in 2006, due to the escalating conflict and humanitarian crisis in Lebanon last July.
There will be no live telecast of the events in order to encourage more people to attend performances in Jerash and Amman, according to festival organisers.
For dates and locations of the performances, check the festival's website at www.jerashfestival.com.jo.
By Hani Hazaimeh
© Jordan Times 2007
