Activities
Open Day: #Unite4Indigo #Unite4Heritage
UNESCO and the Ghor el Safi Women’s Association for Social Development celebrate Jordan’s cultural heritage and the revival of indigo in the Jordan Valley
Ghor el Safi, 13 June 2015 – UNESCO and the Ghor el Safi Women’s Association celebrate Jordan’s cultural heritage during an open event showcasing the achievements of the project “Empowering Rural Women in the Jordan Valley” with particular focus on indigo. Since mid-2013, UNESCO has been supporting the Ghor el Safi Women’s Association to make its handicraft brand Safi Crafts sustainable. Safi Crafts is an eco-friendly brand producing unique handmade textiles designed by local women.
They make use of natural sources such as mud and plants to dye their fashion and house items, linking innovation to traditional heritage. Thanks to the support of UNESCO, Safi Craftstremendously improved design and quality, and added new beautiful colours to its palette. One of the greatest accomplishments of the project has been the introduction of natural blue, a colour that can be extracted from a plant called indigo. According to historical and archaeological sources, indigo was produced in the Jordan Valley in the past, but this knowledge had been lost with the introduction of synthetic dyes in the past century. A pilot cultivation of indigo was established in 2014 in Ghor el Safi and in April 2015 the blue colour was extracted and used as a dye for the first time by the women of Safi Crafts following the Omani traditional technique.
During the event, guests were introduced to indigo and other dyes and could enjoy the experience of dyeing their own T-shirt through a hands-on activity led by the women ofSafi Crafts.
Participants were also invited to share their views on why heritage is important to them to support the global campaign #Unite4Heritage. Unite 4 heritage is a global initiative powered by UNESCO to voice youth views and feelings on the importance of heritage and culture in a fast-changing world. Given the significant link between the artwork of Safi Crafts and cultural heritage, through this activity UNESCO would like to raise awareness on the importance that heritage plays for societies.
The event was attended by local and external public, including Jordanians and internationals. To know more about the project please visit:
www.unesco.org/new/en/amman/projects/culture/empowering-rural-women-in-the-jordan-valley/
To know more about the campaign in Jordan please visit:
http://www.unesco.org/new/en/amman/unite-for-heritage/
To know more about the campaign worldwide please visit:
CONCERT - THE RHYTHM OF JORDAN, TRADITION AND MODERNITY
UNESCO Amman Office in partnership with TAG-Org, JOrchestra, and the National Music Conservatoire Celebrates the World Day for Cultural Diversity with a Traditional Music Evening
On the occasion of the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, UNESCO Amman Office in partnership with Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization (TAG-Org), the National Music Conservatory, and JOrchestra are pleased to present THE RHYTHM OF JORDAN, TRADITION AND MODERNITY, a Traditional Music Evening hosted at the Odeon Theatre, on May 21st at 7.00 pm.
The World Day of Cultural Diversity is the “opportunity to unleash the creative potential of our different languages and traditions – and to ensure that these differences enrich and strengthen us, instead of dividing us” states Ms. Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, in a recent statement. Aware of the importance that cultural heritage plays in Jordan, UNESCO Amman Office, Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization (TAG-Org), the National Music Conservatory, and JOrchestra joined forces to celebrate Jordan’s great cultural diversity with a concert on traditional and classical Arab music.
In the words of Costanza Farina, UNESCO Representative to Jordan, “In a fast changing world it is our shared responsibility to advocate for the high significance of heritage and culture. They are a critical source of resilience and a key trigger for economic and social change”.
HE Dr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, chairman of TAG-Org and JOrchestra said: "We are really delighted to be part of the UNESCO's World Day for Cultural Diversity which sends a message of peace to societies all over the world that we are one no matter what differences arise. The evening will mix tradition with modernity for people to enjoy."
Tareq Jundi trio, Al-Rajef Society Traditional Band, the Mahabeesh Ensemble, the Rababa player Bayan Fares, Al Quds Group for Palestinian Folklore, the children’s choir of the National Music Conservatory and the musicians of JOrchestra will light up the sky with their unforgettable rhythms and sounds.
The event also marks the launch of #Unite4Heritage, a campaign recently launched by UNESCO Director General to create a positive narrative around the importance of cultural heritage in Jordan, in the Arab countries and beyond.
Tickets are available for JD 5. The proceeds from the concert will be allocated to cultural heritage education programs.
