Thousands flock to opening days of Jerash festival

First two days saw performances of Jordanian and Lebanese singers Omar Abdullat and Wael Kfoury

By Ahmed Bani Mustafa - Jul 22,2017 - Last updated at Jul 22,2017

Lebanese singer Wael Kfoury (right) performs during the Jerash festival on Friday. The first two days of Jerash festival saw a large turnout of local and foreign visitors, an official said (Petra photo)

AMMAN — The first two days of Jerash festival saw a large turnout of local and foreign visitors, an official said.

Thousands of fans attended the concerts of Jordanian and Lebanese singers Omar Abdullat and Wael Kfoury, the festival’s executive director, Mohammad Abu Summaqa, told The Jordan Times.

With a capacity of up to four thousand, the festival’s main theatre remained full during the Thursday and Friday concerts of both stars, said Abu Summaqa.

“Jordan’s Voice” singer Omar Abdullat performed on Thursday, singing a selection of traditional, patriotic and love songs at the Southern Theatre in front of a crowd of around 3, 500 people.

Lebanese Singer Wael Kfoury, who is also an Arab Idol judge, performed on Friday.

During his fourth participation in the festival, Kfoury performed a variety of the Arab world’s most famous songs for fans who came from across the Kingdom.

At the Oval Piazza Stage, the main square of the ancient city, a number of Jordanian singers performed traditional music and pop songs.

The North Theatre, known for hosting international cultural and artistic performances, hosted the Matrouh Egyptian folklore troupe, who performed traditional music and dances.

Under the patronage of His Majesty King Abdullah, this year’s festival will feature performances by several renowned Arab singers, local, Arab and international troupes, and poetry recitals, in addition to exhibitions of arts, handicrafts and local products, according to the organisers.

The Jerash festival is held in the ancient Greco-Roman town of Jerash, 48km north of Amman, known in the past as Gerasa.

One of the leading cultural events in the region, the Jerash festival was first held in 1981, established by Her Majesty Queen Noor under the coordination of Yarmouk University.

The festival was cancelled three times, in 1982, 2006 and in 2008, for three consecutive years. In 2011, the government revived the festival.

Last year, the festival attracted over 100,000 visitors, according to organisers.

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