Jordan's Jerash Festival marks 40th edition with expanded cultural programme

The Jerash Festival in Jordan opened its 40th edition on 22 July at the North Stage, under the theme “Heritage Extends… Generations Meet”. The programme features about 220 activities, including poetry, theatre, visual arts, heritage shows and family‑focused events.

Minister of Culture and Chairman of the festival’s Supreme Committee, Mustafa al‑Rawashdeh, highlighted the event as a showcase of Jordan’s historical narrative and national identity. Executive Director Yazan al‑Khadir noted that the festival has become a cornerstone of Arab cultural memory, adding new elements such as three‑dimensional lighting and a redesigned oval square.

Infrastructure upgrades include the transformation of the “Street of Columns” into an art walk, the illumination of the Hadrian Gate with 3‑D technology, and the construction of a new Heibodrum theatre that can accommodate around three thousand spectators. An on‑site craft market, run largely by local women, promotes traditional products and supports the regional economy.