MADABA — In Madaba, the story does not begin from a street or a square, but rather from a stone bearing an inscription, a mosaic preserving the memory of a nation, a church recounting chapters of history, and a land where civilizations succeeded one another until the city became one of the most prominent living testaments to human heritage in Jordan.
اضافة اعلان
From this scene where culture blends with history, the activities of the Cultural, Tourism, and Heritage Trail launched—organized by the Istiqlal Cultural Forum to re-examine the identity of the place and confirm that culture is not merely an activity, but a national project that enhances belonging and preserves collective memory.
Deputizing for the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Culture, the launch of the event was sponsored by Dr. Amjad Al-Afifi, Advisor to the Minister of Culture and Director of the Cultural Bodies Directorate, with the participation of Dr. Ahmad Al-Amayreh, Dean of the Mosaic Art and Restoration Institute; Cultural Advisor Mohammad Al-Fasatleh Al-Azaydeh, President of the Istiqlal Cultural Forum; Fawzan Al-Hourani, President of the Madaba Cultural House Forum; and the Director of the Craft Palace (Al-Qasr Al-Muhtarif), alongside an elite group of intellectuals, media figures, researchers, and stakeholders in cultural and heritage affairs.
Participants began their journey at the Latin Monastery Church, where Father Tariq Abu Hanna guided them on an educational tour reviewing the church's history and its religious and archaeological importance. He recalled the historical stages Madaba experienced from the Moabite eras through the Roman and Byzantine periods up to modern times, emphasizing that the city still retains rare architectural and human evidence that makes it an open register of the region's history.
Father Abu Hanna pointed out that Madaba's historical churches are not just places of worship, but cultural landmarks storing the memory of the place. He spoke of the Byzantine stones, the historical tunnels connecting the church to Dar Al-Saraya, and the Moabite wells that remain witness to the city's ancient roots, in addition to the national role played by the Al-Azizat clan and Christian families in building Madaba's renaissance and reinforcing values of coexistence, affection, and national unity that characterize Jordanian society.
Participants then moved to the Craft Palace and the Mosaic Art and Restoration Institute, where they toured artistic workshops that continue to preserve one of the oldest creative crafts in the world. They watched students transform small stone pieces into vibrant mosaic artworks, embodying the continuation of Madaba's world-renowned artistic school.
During the tour, Dr. Ahmad Al-Amayreh, Dean of the Institute—in the presence of MP Samer Al-Ababseh Al-Azaydeh—presented a comprehensive overview of the institute's mission and role in preparing specialized talent. He explained that it is the first of its kind in the world to teach mosaic art and restoration, granting a comprehensive diploma, and is administratively linked to the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities through the Madaba Tourism Directorate, and academically to Balqa Applied University. He emphasized that the institute has become an international scientific center for preserving and restoring mosaics, training experts who work to protect this cultural legacy for future generations.
Dr. Amjad Al-Afifi affirmed that Madaba represents a fundamental pillar in the Jordanian cultural scene through its archaeological treasures, religious sites, and world-class mosaics that have made it a prominent cultural and tourism destination. He noted that the Ministry of Culture continues to support qualitative initiatives that contribute to cementing national identity, enhancing awareness of heritage values, and connecting new generations with their country's history.
He added that preserving cultural heritage is a collective responsibility shared by official institutions, cultural bodies, and the local community, as protecting history means protecting identity and safeguarding the national memory that forms the foundation for building the future.
For his part, Cultural Advisor and Forum President Mohammad Al-Fasatleh stated that this trail embodies the forum's vision of converting culture into a living community practice that moves out of halls into the field, opening the doors of historical sites to citizens and visitors to boost awareness of Madaba's civilizational value and highlight its assets that qualify it to be one of the most important cultural tourism destinations in Jordan and the region.
The trail activities concluded at the Hikayet Setti Museum (Story of History Museum) in the Mount Nebo area, where the Istiqlal Cultural Forum exhibition was inaugurated. The exhibition featured a collection of historical, heritage, and tourism photos and documents reflecting bright milestones in Madaba's history and highlighting the richness and diversity of its civilizational heritage, sending a message that the governorate is not merely a tourist destination, but a vibrant national memory and an open book telling generations the story of a civilization that remains present in its stones, mosaics, and people.
Participants confirmed that organizing such cultural trails represents an important step toward promoting cultural tourism, connecting the community with its historical heritage, and reviving national memory, thereby contributing to solidifying Madaba's position as one of the most important historical and cultural centers in Jordan and a national model combining the authenticity of the past with the vitality of the present, carrying its civilizational message to the world.
