4.4. Culture and Entertainment
Jordanians are convinced that there is not much entertainment in this country however visitors to Jordan will never feel bored. There are a lot of historical sites, museums and galleries ... more than you ever can visit during your holidays in Jordan.
a) Museums and Galleries
As a country with such an old history Jordan possesses several interesting
museums, most of them in Amman. The Jordan Archaeological Museum contains
antiquities of Jordan dating from prehistoric times to the 15th century (Citadel
Hill, Amman). The Jordan National Gallery has an excellent collection of contemporary
Jordanian fine art as well as one of the largest collections of contemporary
works by artists from other Middle Eastern and Moslem countries. Other museums
in Amman are: the Abdel Hamid Shoman Gallery, the Jordan Folklore Museum,
Jordan Popular Museum of Costumes and Jewelry and the Martyrs Memorial. Some
additional small museums you will find in Madaba, Karak, Umm Qeis and Petra.
b) Festivals &
Events
Two major festivals are celebrated every year in Jordan. The Jerash Festival
for Culture and Arts takes place in the 2000 year old Roman city during a
two week period every August and includes daily performances by Jordanian,
Arab and international folklore groups and performing artists. The other annual
festival of interest to visitors is the Aqaba water sports festival that takes
place every year in mid-November, and which includes international-class competition
in water skiing and other aquatic sports.
An "Opera Gala" at the Roman Theatre of Amman in conjunction with
a commemoration of King Hussein was celebrated for the first time on "9/9/99",
the ONLY date of the past century to contain five 9´s. Nine was the
lucky number of the late King Hussein, and played an important role in his
life. Starting "9/9/99", a concert will be held in the Roman theatre
of Amman on September, 9th every year. An additional concert with highlights
of famous musical- and film melodies is held at the Roman Theatre of Petra
on September, 7th.
Her Highness Princess Muna Al Hussein, the mother of His Majesty King Abdullah
II, is the honorary patron of this very special Music Event. The organiser
of the concerts at the Roman Theatres of Petra and Amman is Ashtar Tours International
.
In May 2002 a new event will be presented by Ashtar Tours International: "The
Lawrence Festival"!
May 2002 will be 40 years to the shooting of the famous film "Lawrence
of Arabia"!
c) Other Entertainment
There are a few cinemas showing English and American movies in the original
version. The Jordan TV and radio station offers an English-speaking program.
The English newspaper "Jordan Times" gives information about events,
for examples concerts and camel races.
Shows, exhibitions, concerts and balls are taking place in the cultural centres
of Amman (Goethe Institute, American Centre) and in bigger hotels. Most of
these hotels have night-clubs, however only a few hotels have discotheques.
Contents of the Guide Book
| 1. | Welcome to Jordan |
| 2.. | The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan |
| 2.1. | Geography, Climate and Borders |
| 2.2. | Entry and Departure Procedures |
| 2.3 | Population |
| 2.4. | Currency |
| 2.5. | History |
| 2.6. |
Government |
| 2.7. | Economy |
| 3. | Jordan, where the Adventure awaits you |
| 3.2 | Amman, the Dynamic Capital City |
| 3.2. | The
Kings´Highway (Madaba, Mt. Nebo, Mukawir, Wadi Mujib, Karak, Shobak) |
| 3.3. | Petra, the Spectacular Rose-Red City |
| 3.4. | The Cities of Decapolis (Pella, Gadara, Abila, Philadelphia, Gerasa, Umm el Jimal) |
| 3.5.. |
Following
the Footsteps of "Lawrence of Arabia"; |
| 3.6. | Aqaba, Jordan´s year-round Red Sea Resort |
| 3.7. | The Dead Sea and Termal Spas; The healing power of the Dead Sea; The Hot Springs of Zarqa Ma´in |
| 3.8. | Biblical Sites in Jordan |
| 3.8.1. | The
Biblical Sites from North to South; Gadara, Anjara, Pella, Bethany, Machaerus, Madaba, Mt. Nebo, the Kings´Highway, Wadi Musa, Sodom & Gomorra, Ayla |
| 3.9. | Nature Reserves in Jordan; Wadi Rum, Dana, Zubia, Azraq, Shaumari |
| 4. | The Tourist Facilities in Jordan |
| 4.1. | Transportation;
Flight Connections, Tourist Buses, Bus-, Train-, Ferry-Connections; Car Rental and Driving in Jordan |
| 4.2. | Communication |
| 4.3. | Sports; Aquatic Sports and Diving; Horseback Riding and Camel Trips; Ballooning; Glimbing and Hang-gliding |
| 4.4. | Culture and Entertainment; Museums and Galleries; Festivals; Other Entertainments |
| 4.5. | Restaurants |
| 4.6. | Shopping and Souvenirs |
| 4.7. | Tourist Guides |
| 4.8. | Accommodation; |
| 5. | Incentive Travel |
| 5.1. | Incentive Special Events |
| 6. | Helpful Facts about Jordan |
| 6.1. | Best Time to Travel and Safty |
| 6.2. | Tipping (Bakshish) |
| 6.3. | Holidays, Ramadan, Business Hours |
| 6.4. | Local Customs - How to Dress? |
| 6.5. | Electric Current, Water Supply |