The UAE’s Ministry of Culture and Youth (MCY) participated in a ceremony where the Jordanian city of Irbid was named as the ‘Capital of Arab Culture’ by the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) for the year 2022. To mark the occasion, performances by an Emirates musical ensemble was organized by the ministry.
The music group presented two concerts attended by high-ranking officials and government representatives from Jordan. The first concert (10 August) on the Irbid Cultural Center’s main stage was attended by the Governor of Irbid and representative of the minister of culture Radwan Al-Atoum, the head of the ceremony’s executive office Munther Bataina, and a large group of intellectuals and members of the community. The ensemble’s performance included heritage songs from Emirati and Arab folk collections as well as popular songs of leading Arab singers.
The visitor centre in the ancient town of Umm Qais was the venue for the second concert (11 August) in which a range of musical performances reflected authentic Emirati art and heritage.
HE Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, the UAE’s Minister of Culture and Youth, says, “We congratulate our brothers in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on the naming of Irbid as the ‘Capital of Arab Culture’ for the year 2022, highlighting the city’s status as a key figure in Arab culture and arts. With cultural roots going back centuries, Irbid has been a centre for arts, poetry, singing, and theatre, gifting several icons to the Arab world.”
The minister also spoke of how the participation embodied the strong brotherly ties binding the UAE and Jordan in various fields dating back many decades.
‘Chrysanthemum City’ and ‘The Bride of the North’ are other events in the ceremony which will continue throughout the year featuring artistic and musical performances. Poetry evenings, seminars, panel discussions on local and Arab affairs, literature seminars for women and children, talks on scientific culture and fields on innovation, and a range of exhibitions of plastic arts are also among the host of activities.
