Fuheis, Aug 23 (Petra) – Minister of Culture Mustafa Rawashdeh on Saturday inaugurated the 32nd Fuheis Festival under the theme "Jordan: History and Civilization," in the presence of Balqa Governor Faisal Masaeed. The festival will run until August 28.

Rawashdeh described the festival as an exceptional model of civil society initiatives, turning Fuheis into a cultural hub enriching the Jordanian and Arab cultural scene with diverse intellectual and artistic programs. He said the festival has evolved into a national and regional event featuring a variety of cultural, artistic, musical, and literary activities, including lectures, handicrafts, and exhibitions.

He highlighted Fuheis’ historical legacy, creative talent, civic and cultural spaces, and its vibrant visual arts scene, noting that the accumulated organizational experience and exposure to Arab and global cultural practices have been key to the festival’s success over three decades. Rawashdeh expressed hope that the festival serves as a model for other Jordanian towns and cities.

"We view festivals as a means for comprehensive and sustainable development, nurturing intellectual and literary talent, supporting art and creativity, and highlighting cultural diversity and openness," he said. He added that the festival emphasizes historical events and prominent figures, reflecting the richness of the national fabric and strengthening Jordanian identity and awareness.

The minister also noted that the festival’s cultural and artistic elements embody the nation’s geographic and social diversity. He cited the late Prime Minister Marouf Al-Bakhit, chosen as this year’s festival figure, as reflecting the festival’s elevated national and Arab mission.

He praised the festival’s location in the heart of Fuheis, extending to its streets and home courtyards, offering visitors a sense of being guests of the city and its people, renowned for their hospitality.

Festival Director Ayman Samawi said the festival is more than a temporary celebration; it is "a national memory, a mirror of civilization, and a cultural platform connecting the past with the present." He highlighted that each edition showcases Jordan as a land of peace, creativity, and cultural thought, opening the city’s doors to the world to share its history, roots, and achievements.

Samawi added that the 32nd edition continues to support creativity in music, singing, poetry, theater, visual arts, and cultural dialogues, providing a space where artists meet their audience and intellectuals engage with readers. He described it as a message of love from Al-Fuheis to Jordan, from Jordan to the Arab world, and from Arabs to the world.

Deputy Mayor of Fuheis, Samar Al-Dawood, said the festival has become a landmark event over more than 30 years, showcasing cultural and artistic innovation across Jordan and the Arab region. She emphasized the festival’s ability to transform challenges into opportunities and achievements.

The festival opened with a musical performance titled "Habib Jeryes," featuring the poetry of the late poets Habib Al-Ziyoudi and Jeryes Samawi, supervised and directed by Mohammad Wasif, and performed by Nancy Petro, Saad Al-Hutaibat, and the Majdal gropu. The performance revived the poets’ spirit through artistic dialogue, music, and poetic memory.

This year’s festival features 11 musical events, five cultural seminars, six children’s artistic activities, and traditional food displays. The festival’s featured personality this year is the late former Prime Minister Marouf Al-Bakhit.

//Petra// AF

23/08/2025 22:52:36