jordan pulse -

Mahmoud Al-Dabbas - We cannot be silenced by loud voices calling for the cancellation of the Jerash Festival of Culture and Arts this year due to the situation in Gaza.

It is useful to respond to these voices by highlighting that the cultural actions and the significant presence of intellectual, literary, poetic, artistic, and theatrical figures in this cultural event reflect Jordan's vibrant image and its ability to organize the Jerash Festival. This festival has shaped a cultural and human identity for Jordan through valuable cultural activities. Discussions about the festival should not be limited to the musical concerts, some of which might be inappropriate given the ongoing war of extermination in Gaza, and certainly, no one expects that.

However, the Jerash Festival, with its global cultural character and the participation of many cultures worldwide, offers each country a chance to showcase its folklore, literary, and poetic traditions. This festival serves as a significant gateway for global communication and interaction with the cultures of participating countries.

This added value extends beyond participation to the economic impact the festival has on promoting tourism in Jordan. Representatives from participating countries share their experiences, benefiting Jordan through increased cultural exchange.

The Jerash Festival has carved its name in gold letters on the global festival map, attracting top artists, poets, and writers who see it as an ideal opportunity to appear before Jordanian, Arab, and international audiences. Media outlets at home and abroad cover the festival, highlighting its diverse participation.

Furthermore, the Jerash Festival is a platform for artisans and home production projects to showcase their work, contributing to the festival's economic development aspect.

We cannot overlook the festival's impact on these projects, opening up vast horizons for their development and support from institutions like JEDCO, which has clearly supported local community members and their projects, alongside international organizations that back such initiatives.

The Jerash Festival of Culture and Arts is a cultural event that everyone can leverage for national and regional causes through the abundant contributions of intellectuals, writers, poets, and artistic groups. Words and music have always been languages that reach all peoples without barriers, reflecting the cultural state of civilizations.

Moreover, the Jerash Festival has consistently dedicated significant attention to the Palestinian cause and the suffering of its people under Israeli occupation through the Jerusalem Seminar. This seminar attracts prominent thinkers from the Arab world to discuss the issue and send messages to the world about the ugly face of Israeli occupation and its devastating impact on Palestinians, always demanding the Palestinian right to self-determination and the establishment of their independent state on the territories occupied on June 4, 1967, with Jerusalem as its capital.

Therefore, we cannot afford to lose the many cultural seminars and literary sessions that address various national and regional issues, highlighting Jordan's values and its Arab and Islamic surroundings.

Thus, all the elements provided by the Jerash Festival cannot be marginalized or limited to discussions about musical concerts by Jordanian and Arab artists. This festival edition can be dedicated to committed musical performances, away from the noise, which seems untimely given the killing and destruction faced by the Palestinian people in Gaza.

Hence, we say that the flame of the Jerash Festival of Culture and Arts must remain lit to tell the world that Jordan, with its rich heritage, has a present and future, and a cultural message that there is something on this land worth living for.