Launch of the 24th Arab Zarqa Summer Theater Festival Amidst Arab Artistic and Cultural Presence
Zarqa5 min read
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The activities of the 24th Arab Zarqa Summer Theater Festival opened yesterday at the King Abdullah II Cultural Center in Zarqa, under the patronage of Minister of Culture Mustafa Al-Rawashdeh, and in the presence of Zarqa Deputy Governor Dr. Salah Al-Hashem, Zarqa Director of Culture Mohammad Al-Zoubi, Syndicate of Artists President Hani Al-Jarrah, Festival Director Khaled Al-Muslamani, High Committee Chairperson and artist Abeer Issa, alongside a number of representatives from cultural bodies and institutions, and participating Arab theatrical delegations.
The Zarqa Theatrical Arts Troupe Association is organizing the festival, with the participation of theatrical troupes from Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the Sultanate of Oman, Iraq, Palestine, and Tunisia. The festival continues its presence as an Arab space that brings together theater practitioners, enables interaction among artistic experiences, facilitates the exchange of experiences and visions, and opens new horizons for dialogue and theatrical creativity.
In his speech during the opening, Minister of Culture Mustafa Al-Rawashdeh emphasized that culture, art, and literature constitute fundamental pillars in building national identity and enhancing its presence in the conscience of peoples. He pointed out the status held by theater as the father of arts, and the enlightening and awareness-raising role it plays in elevating the level of awareness, enriching dialogue, and raising questions related to society's issues and aspirations.
Al-Rawashdeh stated that Jordanian theater undertakes an important role in documenting the national narrative with its deeply rooted national, Arab, and pan-Arab constants. He affirmed that the Zarqa Summer Theater Festival continues its artistic and cultural journey and opens a wide space for creativity, experimentation, and theatrical communication at both the Jordanian and Arab levels.
He pointed out that the upcoming edition of the festival will witness its reaching the silver jubilee of its artistic and enlightening journey, expressing his aspiration for the continuation of this experience, the consolidation of its presence in the theatrical scene, and the reinforcement of theater's message as a space for creativity, knowledge, and human interaction.
The Minister of Culture welcomed the participating Arab delegations, emphasizing that Jordan continues its cultural, artistic, and literary role in promoting awareness, the values of dialogue, the expression of opinion and constructive criticism, and providing creators with the opportunity to raise issues and questions related to the concerns and aspirations of citizens under the Hashemite banner.
Al-Rawashdeh affirmed that the Ministry of Culture continues to support festivals, artistic troupes, and theatrical groups that contribute to preserving human heritage and evoking the stories of place, stemming from its belief that theater is an intellectual, cultural, and awareness-raising beacon that contributes to elevating human thought and strengthening national and pan-Arab identity.
For her part, the Chairperson of the High Committee of the Festival, artist Abeer Issa, stressed that the partnership and support provided by the Ministry of Culture, the Jordanian Artists Association, Zarqa Governorate, and the supporting bodies and institutions represent a fundamental pillar in sustaining the festival and enhancing its presence and role in the Jordanian and Arab theatrical scene.
Issa welcomed the theatrical troupes coming from Saudi Arabia, the Sultanate of Oman, Iraq, Palestine, and Tunisia, alongside Jordan, the host country, affirming that this Arab presence reflects the importance of the festival as a meeting place for theatrical dialogue, exchange of experiences, and the convergence of artistic experiments.
Issa praised the two honorees of this edition, Iraqi artist and theater director Jawad Al-Asadi and Jordanian producer Issam Al-Hijjawi, in appreciation of their artistic careers and contributions to supporting creativity and nurturing theatrical and artistic talents. She emphasized that the presence of artists, writers, intellectuals, and critics within the festival's activities enhances the passion for theater and supports its aesthetic and intellectual message.
Issa explained that the festival's jury, headed by Syrian artist Zeinati Qudsieh and comprising Egyptian artist Adel Hassan and Jordanian Dr. Najwa Qandakji, is undertaking the evaluation of the participating performances according to artistic and critical foundations and standards, contributing to highlighting distinguished theatrical experiences and appreciating their creative achievements.
The opening events, moderated by media figure Rasha Asfour, witnessed an artistic segment presented by the Masaya Troupe, alongside the screening of a short film reviewing the participating theatrical plays, honoring the two honorees of this edition, and honoring the two members of the viewing and selection committee, artist Joyce Al-Rai and artist Mohammad Al-Jarrah.
Following the opening ceremony, the festival's theatrical performances kicked off with the Omani play "On the Verge of Forgetfulness", which presented a theatrical experience evoking questions of humanity, memory, and forgetfulness within an artistic vision reflecting the specificity of the Omani theatrical experience.
The activities of the 24th Arab Zarqa Summer Theater Festival continue until September 18, 2026, through a diverse artistic and cultural program that includes theatrical performances, seminars, and theatrical workshops with wide Arab participation. The festival features the plays "Bell" from Tunisia, "Children of the Earth" from Iraq, "Until Hope Fades" from Saudi Arabia, "Goods" from Palestine, and "Mirage" from Jordan, alongside the Omani play "On the Verge of Forgetfulness"
