Minister of Culture Meets with Several Cultural Associations

Amman – Minister of Culture Mustafa Al-Rawashdeh met today, Thursday, in the conference hall at the Royal Cultural Center in Amman, with several cultural associations from Amman and the governorates to discuss cultural affairs.اضافة اعلان

Al-Rawashdeh stated during the meeting, which was attended by Amjad Al-Afif, Director of the Directorate of Cultural Associations at the ministry, that culture is an important societal issue, and that society itself creates culture. He emphasized that the role of associations is crucial in sustainable cultural development through their interaction with society, expressing its aspirations, needs, and cultural heritage.

He confirmed that the ministry works based on the vision of His Majesty King Abdullah II, focusing on localizing knowledge, developing the cultural economy, and promoting national pride, as well as the initiatives of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to enhance values of work and the digital space.

Al-Rawashdeh added that the success of associations is determined by how well their goals align with societal values, how they respond to aspirations, and the potential to expand and diversify their activities. He also stressed the importance of increasing societal demand for culture in various fields, such as folk arts, painting, sculpture, design, theater, films, poetry, short stories, novels, and traditional crafts. He mentioned the flexibility of forming partnerships with similar cultural organizations to exchange experiences, unify efforts, distribute services, and reduce financial burdens, along with partnerships with the private sector to collaborate on projects that benefit society and shift from a volunteer-based model to a productive one, empowering youth and women and providing opportunities for a decent life.

He said the Ministry of Culture’s primary role is to provide a suitable environment for the work of associations and to support them based on their classification through training, empowerment, and infrastructure provision. He emphasized that the ministry continues to follow this path in line with its national strategy, having already established infrastructure in Irbid, Zarqa, Karak, Ma'an, and Ajloun, with the opening of the Jerash Center soon. These centers represent spaces that serve associations through their facilities and arts centers offering training in music, visual arts, and theater.

He pointed out that the concept of culture, in light of modern global economies and technological advancements, has become part of the production wheel and a tool for empowerment and employment that benefits society. Culture is no longer just about providing services to specific sectors, but rather plays an essential role in national identity, promoting pride in Jordan and its symbols, and contributing to comprehensive and sustainable development through the projects organized by the ministry.

Several representatives from cultural associations spoke during the meeting about the main challenges they face in maintaining sustainability and offering cultural initiatives, as well as the key demands of the associations.