First ever Music Day resonates in Jordan

AMMAN — For the first time in its history, Jordan on Thursday celebrated Music Day, an annual music celebration marked on June 21 across the world. 

Initiated in Paris in 1982, World Music Day has since become a global event observed in 120 countries worldwide, where citizens get to play music in their neighbourhoods, public spaces and parks, and to enjoy a variety of public concerts free of charge, according to French officials.

"This is an incredible moment for Jordan and we are very happy and excited to celebrate this day with over 60 events taking place all over the Kingdom today," said Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Lina Annab, whose ministry organised the event alongside the Jordan Tourism Board, in collaboration with the European Union in Jordan and the EU National Institutes for Culture (EUNIC).

Annab, who just returned from "two very great shows" at the First Circle and at the Citadel, told The Jordan Times that she was now "on her way to some more performances in downtown's Odeon Theatre".

"This event is really a chance to shed light on the cultural aspect of our Kingdom and on its wealth in terms of heritage and cultural sites," the minister stressed, adding that "by holding such performances in these historical sites, we are bringing them to life and activating them in the lives of citizens".

All free of charge, the day's events started off with a folklore performance by Rajef Group for Heritage Revival in Maan Governorate at 9am, followed by the Maan Association for Arts and Culture, the Maan Group for Folklore and the Maan Children's Club Group. 

Yousef Muhammad Al Natour performed bagpipes at Mount Nebo, while the Black Ice Band sang in the Madaba Visitors Centre, followed by Muhammad Abdulla Ali Al Shaarip who played rababa, a bowed string instrument typical of the MENA region.

Balqa and Aqaba also witnessed various performances, as well as Tafileh, Irbid, Ajloun, Jerash and Karak.

"The biggest musical event in the Kingdom, Music Day features some of the best local and international musicians who unleash their talent from North to South and East to West, so everyone can have access to some of these performances close to their homes," the Jordan Tourism Board stated.

"This day reminds us all of the importance of music to connect to one another and to spread Jordan's message to the world: a message of love, peace and beauty," the tourism minister highlighted.

"It is really rare to enjoy free events in Amman, let alone outdoor musical events, so this is really great for me," said 24-year-old Yasmine, a student at the University of Jordan.

For Annab, the event also sought to encourage new and upcoming talents to get known to the public, as she stressed the ministry's keenness to "provide all support to emerging artists to enable and empower them to grow until next year", when she hopes to see a second edition of Music Day. 

"This coming year, we will be working with the groups we witnessed today and more, so we can keep nurturing musical talents in the Kingdom throughout time," she underlined.

A French citizen living in Amman, Margaux said: "In France, Music Day is really a huge event and everyone takes part in it, whatever their age, background or status is. It truly is a moment of exchange and unity that takes us all away from the problems of everyday life, so it is really great to see it happen in Jordan as well."

For EU Ambassador to Jordan Andrea Matteo Fontana, "this event comes in line with the EU efforts to build cultural bridges with Jordan, through which we enhance the EU and Jordan enduring partnership.”

Commenting on the event, EUNIC Communication and events officer, Tala Al Sayyed, told The Jordan Times: "We are delighted to have Jordan join the many countries worldwide that celebrate Music Day, it is a great opportunity to showcase some of the best local and international musical talents around Jordan, and we hope that this will become an annual event where music is celebrated all over the Kingdom."