Amman, Feb 9 (Petra) - Minister of Culture Mustafa Rawashdeh on Monday evening inaugurated the fourth edition of the Amateur Theatre Festival on the main stage of the Royal Cultural Center in Amman. The event is organized by the Ministry of Culture in cooperation with the Jordanian Artists Syndicate and with participation from the Arab Theatre Institute.

The opening ceremony was attended by the Ministry’s Secretary-General Nidal Al Ahmad, Jordanian Artists Syndicate President and director Mohammad Youssef Al-Abadi, Secretary-General of the Arab Theatre Institute, writer Ismail Abdullah, and Director of Theatre and Visual Arts Directorate, director Ishaq Yassin.

In his speech, Rawashdeh expressed pride in the partnership with the Arab Theatre Institute, describing it as one of Sharjah’s initiatives that demonstrates openness to the Arab cultural scene and creates space for intellectual and critical dialogue, which deepens and documents the amateur theatre experience.

He said the festival’s importance lies in its role as an incubator for new talent, crucial for the development of theatre by absorbing the experiences of pioneers and building upon them. Its significance is further enhanced by the growing number of university graduates enriching the theatrical scene with new knowledge and academic training.

Rawashdeh added that amateur theatre is also a key educational and cultural tool for younger generations, contributing to ethical awareness, training individuals in dialogue and tolerance, boosting self-confidence, and fostering teamwork, communication, and creativity.

He noted that the festival is one of the Ministry’s main programs for promoting theatrical awareness and culture, with participation from all governorates, bringing new faces, ideas, and innovative approaches. The number of participants underscores the societal demand for theatre, which is simultaneously part of the creative cultural industries, providing employment opportunities for youth.

To strengthen the theatrical scene, the Ministry has expanded arts training by increasing the number of arts centers in cities, towns, rural areas, and camps, partly in partnership with the Ministry of Youth in Salt, Mafraq, Madaba, and other areas. To date, the Ministry has established 14 arts centers offering theatre and other arts training and plans to increase them further this year.

He expressed gratitude to the Arab Theatre Institute for its continuous support of amateur talent, to the organizers, and to participating emerging artists, emphasizing that art deepens noble values and nurtures conscious and promising generations.

Director Al-Abadi, in his speech, highlighted Amman’s vibrant cultural and intellectual life and praised the sustained momentum of Jordanian theatre. He underscored the dedication of Jordanian artists in pursuing their dreams despite challenges to elevate cultural standards and praised the collaboration between the Ministry, the Artists Association, and the Arab Theatre Organization in promoting and developing theatre in Jordan.

Writer Ismail Abdullah said the festival represents a living example of patience, determination, and perseverance, noting that the return of amateur theatre follows a hiatus since 2012. He explained that cooperation between the Ministry and the Arab Theatre Organization to relaunch the free theatre project began in 2019, with implementation postponed to 2025 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Teams and trainers were prepared to encourage and form theatrical groups in Jordanian governorates to compete in the festival launched on Monday.

He added that the project aims to create a reservoir feeding the theatrical movement and contributing to cultural development, built on scientific foundations to serve as a model for other Arab countries. He emphasized the importance of amateur theatre as a national actor in shaping culture and reinforcing belonging.

The festival opened with the performance of "The Last Moment" by the Irbid Theatre Group on the main stage, followed by "The Train" by the Ajloun Theatre Group at the Mahmoud Abu Gharib Hall.

The Salt Youth Theatre Group, composed of seven young performers, presented traditional Jordanian dabke dances and other artistic pieces, accompanied by a film showcasing participating groups from other governorates.

On Tuesday evening until Saturday evening, the six-day festival will feature several plays performed by theatre groups from Mafraq, Jerash, Madaba, Zarqa, Balqa, Karak, Aqaba, and Ma’an.

The closing ceremony and award announcements will be held on Saturday evening on the main stage.

The festival aims to present distinguished theatrical works from all Jordanian governorates to raise awareness and promote theatre culture, enhance the country’s cultural life, elevate cultural understanding across society, and develop the skills of provincial theatre practitioners. It provides opportunities for dialogue among theatre groups nationwide.

The project also seeks to develop theatre in Jordanian governorates by training and mentoring amateur youth, refining their talents in acting, directing, and performance arts through specialized workshops supervised by a national team of directors and trainers. It aims to establish local theatre groups and produce quality performances in preparation for a national amateur theatre festival at the end of the first phase.

This initiative is part of a cooperation agreement between the Jordanian Ministry of Culture and the Arab Theatre Institute to strengthen art’s role in raising awareness, building creative capacities among youth, enriching the Jordanian and Arab theatre scene, establishing theatre libraries in cultural centers, and celebrating Arab and international theatre occasions.

The project reflects the Ministry of Culture’s vision for Jordan and its partnership with the Arab Theatre Institute in the UAE, in cooperation with the Jordanian Artists Syndicate, to support theatre in governorates, expand its social base, establish and sustain amateur theatre groups, and contribute to national theatrical growth and broader regional presence.

The program focuses on empowering young amateur performers artistically and intellectually through training and direct supervision by specialist directors and trainers, ensuring foundational skills in directing, playwriting, acting, theatre techniques, and team management.

During implementation, the specialized committee monitored theatre groups through field visits, observing the development of performances from formation to maturity, marking the foundational stage for future editions.

The participating groups demonstrated commitment and seriousness in meeting project requirements, with varying capacities based on experience and local theatre environments, achieving performances that meet minimum artistic quality standards, role distribution, teamwork, and collaboration.

The project carries additional cultural and social value by encouraging inclusion initiatives, including participation of persons with disabilities in performances, reflecting a conscious commitment to inclusivity, diversity, and theatre as a tool for human and societal expression.

The festival represents a promising foundational experience in the development of youth and amateur theatre in Jordan, with potential for growth, demonstrating the value of investing in local talent and building sustainable theatre infrastructure in governorates to serve national culture and enhance its presence and diversity.

//Petra// AF

09/02/2026 23:19:21