Jerash Festival for Culture and Arts 2002 was launched Thursday with a concert by Lebanese singer Marcel Khalifa and a joint concert performed by al Fhais Troupe for Reviving Heritage and Noor al Hussein Foundation’s Performance Arts Center.
The festival was opened in presence of Arab children in their fourth conference entitled “Generations Dialogue”. Queen Noor handed out the Lebanese singer Majedah al Roomi in her capacity as a guest of honor and FAO ambassador, the festival’s shield in appreciation for her efforts and participation in the dialogue between generations.
In his speech, the head of the festival Jiryes Samawi said the festival has this year come closer to the pulse of the street and consistent with Jordan celebration of Amman as the capital of Arab culture.
The opening day witnessed Marcel Khalifaa’s first concert at the south amphitheater which was disappointing as only 500 people attended while the amphitheater can accommodate 2500 persons.
Samawi attributed this slim attendance to the secondary education examination results, which have kept the public busy although the results have not yet been published. Rumors confused the public that the results of the examinations would be published at the same time of Khalifa’s concert.
The festival’s head expressed his hope that the second concert by the Lebanese singer would make up for the disappointment witnessed at the first concert -- Albawaba.com
