Amman, July 08 (QNA) - Director of the Jerash Festival of Culture and Arts Yazan Al Khudair said that the selection of Qatar as the guest of honor for the festival's 40th edition, which will open on Jul. 22 in Jordan, reflects the country's prominent cultural standing at both the Arab and international levels and embodies the deep fraternal ties and growing cultural cooperation between Qatar and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
In remarks to the Qatar News Agency (QNA), Al Khudair said the selection was made in recognition of Qatar's cultural role in the Arab world and the significant achievements it has made in recent years in the fields of culture, arts, and creativity. He noted that Doha has presented a distinguished model of using culture as a means of connecting people and promoting intercultural dialogue.
He added that culture has become one of the most important means of bringing societies closer together, and that Qatar has provided a notable example through its major cultural projects, its hosting of international events, and its commitment to preserving heritage while embracing diverse cultures.
Al Khudair also said that Qatar's hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup demonstrated how major international events can be used to showcase Arab culture, giving millions of visitors the opportunity to learn about Arab and Gulf heritage, as well as the region's values and traditions.
He added that this global cultural presence was one of the factors behind Qatar's selection as the guest of honor for the festival's 40th edition, as the country has successfully combined preserving its national identity with openness to the world while establishing a meaningful cultural presence on the international stage.
He noted that Qatar's participation will also include intellectual and cultural contributions through seminars, poetry evenings, and literary events, reflecting the country's vibrant cultural scene and fostering dialogue between writers, intellectuals, and artists from both countries.
Al Khudair said that hosting Qatar as the guest of honor provides an opportunity to highlight a leading Arab cultural experience, adding that Doha has become an important center of Arab culture through its cultural initiatives, support for creative talent, and hosting of major events.
He further noted that Qatar's selection was the result of close coordination and cooperation between the Jordanian and Qatari sides. He added that cultural relations between Jordan and Qatar span decades and continue to grow through bilateral agreements, joint programs, and reciprocal participation in book fairs and cultural events, describing this cooperation as a model of Arab collaboration based on the exchange of expertise and the promotion of Arab culture.
He concluded by saying that Qatar's participation will give the festival an additional Gulf dimension and provide audiences with the opportunity to experience a different cultural perspective, further strengthening the Jerash Festival's position as a gathering place for writers, intellectuals, and artists from across the Arab world. 
Al Khudair said the festival's 40th edition will run until Aug. 2, marking an exceptional milestone celebrating four decades of cultural and artistic achievements. The 40th edition commemorates the festival's evolution into one of the Arab world's leading cultural platforms.
He noted that the 40th edition represents a significant milestone in the festival's history, which began with its inaugural edition in 1980. He said the Jerash Festival has grown beyond being simply an arts festival into a comprehensive Arab cultural project that has, over more than four decades, established itself as one of the region's foremost cultural gatherings.
Al Khudair said the festival has welcomed leading Arab and international artists and cultural figures since its inception, helping introduce Jordanian culture to the world while creating broad opportunities for cultural dialogue and exchange between Jordan and its Arab and international partners.
He added that the 40th edition aims both to preserve the festival's historic legacy and to continue its development through a diverse program featuring music, theater, performing arts, intellectual forums, and heritage activities designed to appeal to all segments of society, further reinforcing the festival's role as a comprehensive cultural platform.
He noted that the festival's organizers sought to ensure this edition celebrates Jerash's rich history while embracing new experiences and attracting Arab and international participation that reflects the evolution of today's cultural and artistic landscape. He emphasized that the festival will continue supporting Jordanian artists while promoting their work alongside Arab and international talent.
Al Khudair said the 40th edition will feature more than 220 cultural and artistic events, with cultural activities accounting for over 60 percent of the overall program. Around 120 events will be held within the ancient city of Jerash, in addition to activities at the Royal Cultural Center and several cultural centers across Jordan's governorates.
He added that this year's festival offers an expanded range of family-oriented and entertainment programs, including theatrical performances and stage shows designed for children and families, as well as performances by international groups, making the festival a cultural and social event for all members of the family.
Al Khudair also noted that this year's edition will, for the first time, utilize a new venue within the archaeological city of Jerash to host events capable of accommodating larger audiences. He said the move is part of the festival's strategy to broaden participation and enable as many visitors as possible to benefit from its cultural program. (QNA)