jordan pulse -

HH Princess Dana Firas, Vice President of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) and President of ICOMOS Jordan, sponsored a specialized symposium titled "The Olive Tree in Heritage Memory" on Sunday.

The cultural event, organized by the Bayt Yaish Cultural Center, was attended by a prominent group of researchers, academics, environmentalists, and heritage experts.

The symposium forms part of ongoing national efforts to elevate awareness of Jordan's agricultural heritage and highlight the olive tree as a central pillar of Jordanian cultural and social identity.

Ahmad Al-Shreideh, an expert in archaeology and history, presented a comprehensive analysis of the geography of the Koura district and its rich legacy of olive trees. Al-Shreideh traced the historical expansion of these groves from the Roman and Byzantine eras through the Islamic periods, detailing the generation-to-generation evolution of olive oil extraction techniques. He also highlighted the region's immense potential for eco-tourism, geological exploration, religious tourism, and adventure tourism.

Participating experts discussed the multi-dimensional presence of the olive tree in the Jordanian consciousness. The panel examined its environmental role in preserving biodiversity and combating climate change, as well as its vibrant cultural placement in local folklore, traditional proverbs, songs, and the communal rituals of the annual harvest season passed down through generations.

The symposium concluded with several key policy recommendations, including enacting strict legislation to protect Jordan's perennial and historic olive trees. The panel also called for comprehensively documenting Jordan's agricultural heritage within modern sustainability frameworks and encouraging targeted academic research to ensure this ecological and cultural legacy is preserved for future generations.

*(Reporting by Reuters Amman Bureau; Editing by Corporate Desk , petra)*