jordan pulse -

As part of the 38th Jerash Festival for Culture and Arts, the second Monodrama Theater Festival will begin on the 27th of this month at the Royal Cultural Center. This festival will feature local and Arab participants and will honor Jordanian artist and theater figure Ashraf Abaza as the festival's personality.

Haifa Najjar, the Minister of Culture and head of the festival's supreme committee, emphasized the importance of the Monodrama Festival, highlighting its role in showcasing distinctive theatrical creativity and contributing to the Jordanian cultural and artistic movement. This event is part of the activities of this year's Jerash Festival.

Ayman Samawi, the executive director of the Jerash Festival, stated that the Monodrama Festival reflects Jordan's interest in theater as an essential element of the Jerash Festival's various artistic expressions, which include visual arts, theater, music, and singing, among others. The festival, held from July 27 to August 3, will host several Arab creators and their plays.

This year's Monodrama Theater Festival has chosen the esteemed Jordanian artist Ashraf Abaza as the honored personality for its second edition, recognizing his significant contributions throughout his artistic, theatrical, and educational career. Abaza is one of the pioneering artists who have elevated Jordanian art to great successes on the Arab level.

Abir Issa, the director of the Monodrama Theater Festival, noted that honoring veteran artists is part of the festival's vision, as it serves as a "thank you" to these artists. She praised Ashraf Abaza's 40-year creative journey and pioneering experience in theater, drama, and education.

Ashraf Abaza expressed his gratitude for the honor, acknowledging it as a kind gesture from his fellow artists. He noted that it recognizes the efforts of creative individuals and allows him to reconnect with theater audiences, both young and old, reminiscing about his beginnings with university theater, acting, and his passion for art, especially theater.

In addition to Jordan, countries participating in this year's Monodrama Theater Festival include Iraq, Egypt, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Tunisia, Palestine, and Syria. Several Arab artists will also be part of the festival's judging panel.

The plays to be presented at the festival include: "Adrenaline" from Jordan, "Passion" from Iraq, "Farida" from Egypt, "Soul of the Body" from Yemen, "Static-Dynamic" from Saudi Arabia, "Monodrama 33" from Algeria, "The Fourth Estate" from Tunisia, "Not Only Mary" from Palestine, and "Sweeper" from Syria.