Under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Hassan bin Talal, a cultural and spiritual program will launch next Saturday at the historic site of Machaerus, in preparation for the 2030 global commemoration of Saint John the Baptist. The program will feature a performance of Handel's musical masterpiece Messiah, under the theme "Echoes of Faith... Sounds of Heritage."
اضافة اعلان
Staging this musical work at Machaerus carries special significance, given the site's religious and historical importance and its connection to the martyrdom of Saint John the Baptist. The evening will bring together the spirit of the place with music that embodies the meanings of faith, salvation, and hope, in an event organized by the Jordan Festivals Friends Association and the Delegation of the European Union to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
On this occasion, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Imad Hijazin said: "Jordan has always been, and will remain, an oasis of security and a beacon of peace, stability, moderation, and religious coexistence. The Kingdom is home to some of the most important Christian pilgrimage sites and religious heritage in the world, and continues its role in preserving and protecting this shared religious and cultural human legacy."
He added: "Under the Hashemite Custodianship of Islamic and Christian holy sites, Jordan continues its firm commitment to protecting sacred sites and religious heritage in Jordan and Palestine, and to reinforcing the values of peace, mutual respect, and interfaith dialogue."
Hijazin went on: "Today, we proudly launch a cultural and spiritual journey in preparation for the 2030 global commemoration of Saint John the Baptist, an initiative that embodies our commitment to preserving our shared heritage and strengthening Jordan's position as a leading destination for Christian pilgrimage and cultural tourism, as well as a platform for international dialogue."
Pierre-Christophe Chatzisavas, the European Union's Ambassador to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, said: "For years, the European Union has continued to support efforts to preserve and develop historical sites across Jordan, including Machaerus."
He added: "This project in particular seeks to promote sustainable initiatives in the field of cultural heritage, and to empower civil society institutions to work together to protect and raise awareness of this heritage. The EU Delegation's support for this initiative is an extension of its commitment to preserving Jordan's cultural heritage and strengthening the role of culture as a driver of sustainable development and community participation."
This initiative affirms Jordan's standing as a meeting point for civilizations, religions, and cultures, and reinforces its position as a distinguished destination for religious and cultural tourism. It also celebrates the legacy of Saint John the Baptist through one of the world's most renowned masterpieces of sacred music, while highlighting the role Jordan plays in promoting the values of peaceful coexistence and intercultural dialogue, both in the region and the world.
The event is also supported by the Jordan Tourism Board, Royal Jordanian, the Goethe-Institut in Jordan, and the Embassy of Hungary in Jordan, and comes as part of the European Union's broader commitment to supporting and promoting Jordan's cultural heritage through initiatives that place local communities at their core and contribute to sustainable economic development.
