AMMAN — The Jerash Festival for Culture and Arts, in its 40th edition, is set to launch the "Hippodrome" stage for the first time in its history, marking one of the “most significant” additions to the annual event.
The Hippodrome is one of the most prominent archaeological landmarks in the ancient city of Jerash, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.
Originally built during the Roman era as a track for horse and chariot racing, the site is reclaiming its role as a public gathering space, now serving as a venue for arts, music, and global cultures.
The launch of the Hippodrome is more than just the opening of a new stage. It represents the revival of a major landmark within the archaeological city, transforming it into a vibrant platform that blends historical heritage with contemporary creativity.
Spanning 11 dunums within the ancient city, the new open-air venue accommodates nearly 3,000 spectators and will serve as a main platform for international, Arab, and Jordanian performances, providing an open space to absorb the increasing numbers of festival visitors.
Under the theme "The Hippodrome: A Meeting Place for Global Cultures and Integrated Family Entertainment Programmes," the venue is set to host 35 free events, featuring a diverse programme of music, folklore shows, traditional dances, and contemporary cultural performances.
International troupes from Italy, Japan, Russia, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Greece, South Korea, China, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka will participate, alongside Arab troupes from Palestine, Egypt, Syria, Tunisia, Iraq, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar, in addition to Jordanian performances.
The Hippodrome experience is integrated with the festival's family programme held at the Sound and Light Theatre and the Oval Plaza's "Gerasa Market".
This segment features 13 free events dedicated to families and children, including children's plays, comedy shows by artist Hussein Tbieshat and the duo "Zaal and Khadra", alongside performances by the Zaha Cultural Centre troupe.
The global cultural scene will be further enriched by the "Embassies' Pavilion," which features 12 pavilions representing several nations.
The pavilion will showcase the cultural heritage, folklore arts, and traditional products of these countries, offering visitors an interactive opportunity to explore diverse cultures during the festival's milestone 40th edition.
