Community-based cultural heritage project concludes in Irbid

AMMAN —    HRH Princess Dana Firas, president of the Petra National Trust (PNT) and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Cultural Heritage, and UNESCO Representative in Jordan Min Jeong Kim on Monday attended the conclusion of the “Community-based inventorying of intangible cultural heritage “ project.

During an Irbid-held ceremony, the princess congratulated the nation on the selection of Irbid as the Arab Capital of Culture for 2022, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Drawing attention to the importance of heritage, the princess emphasised the role of cultural heritage in maintaining the national identity.

She also expressed appreciation of UNESCO’s efforts in support of the Kingdom’s heritage and cultural field, expressing thanks to all stakeholders who helped make the project a success.

The project was implemented by UNESCO in cooperation with the PNT and the Ministry of Culture.

Kim said that the organisation has inked an agreement with the Ministry of Culture meant to protect intangible cultural heritage, noting that Jordan, specifically the northern city of Irbid, has been selected among nine countries to take part in the project that targets the urban cities.

At the end of the ceremony, the princess honoured the project’s staff and supporters.

The project has been started by offering a training course for 20 citizens from Irbid Governorate. Through trainers from UNESCO, the course focused on inventorying intangible cultural heritage and living heritage related to income generation and sustainable development.  

Meanwhile, Hani Hayajneh, Professor of Ancient Near Eastern Cultures and Languages at the Faculty of Archaeology and Anthropology at Yarmouk University and UNESCO Chair for Heritage and Sustainable Tourism, said in a speech delivered on behalf of Culture Minister Haifa Najjar that in recent years, "the safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage has emerged in Jordan as one of the urgent priorities in light of the diminishing of valuable cultural heritage in modern times".

"The 2003 Convention furnished the proper conditions and bestowed some stimuli among the decision makers, communities, groups and individuals, including stakeholders, to give this issue a high priority. I believe that Jordan will take more measures to realize its targets towards an institutional and community based safeguarding," Hayajneh added. 

He also noted that Jordan is aware of the role and importance ICH for Cultural and Creative Industries and the intellectual activities of people as the basis of the micro and macro economies.

"The Jordanian government believes that culture is key to achieving the sustainable development goals. We need to capitalize on creative young minds and innovative industries in order to flourish at both national and global levels. We consider it an absolute privilege to hold the Arts, Culture and Heritage portfolio and to work with a sector that makes atruly significant contribution to Jordan's wellbeing, identity and economy," Hayajneh added.

He pointed out that the government will always aspire to work within the framework of UNESCO, noting that "promoting cultural diversity and the creative industries is essential to UNESCO’s mission. Contributing to the world’s GDP and generating 30 million jobs worldwide, the creative economy is a key engine of sustainable development and a fundamental promoter of the competitiveness of cities".

"We are on the track to establish policies geared towards fostering, protecting and promoting CCI and services in Jordan. This involves strengthening local producers and their capacity to supply by stimulating the skills of artists and entrepreneurs, and expanding related sectors in the entire economy," he said.