My Homeland... is a sun

The Ministry of Culture has presented the operetta "Watani Shams" (My homeland is a sun) at the historic Al-Qal'a Mount which overlooks Amman, the city of history and culture. The operetta is from the poems of late poet Jiryes Samawi and of Ahmad Al-Faouri. It  was directed by Muhammad Al-Dmour and composed by Linda Hijazi. Frankly speaking: “The work is worthy of Jordan's centenary celebrations" for the following reasons:

First: The Royal patronization of His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein who was deputized for by Minister of Culture Ali Ayed. The attendance was distinguished and not massive which allowed grasping the Jordanian operetta.

Second: The presence of  poet Jiryes Samawi who passed away, at the same time with his brother Salim, after being infected with the Coronavirus  has been  still vivid. The late poet started composing this operetta and I do not know if he finished it or not, yet its lyric restored him to life. The presence of his relatives was impressive among all those I met and talked to. May his soul rest in peace. I hope that the Ministry of Culture collect all his works.

Third, the techniques used in the ceremony are of high quality in terms of sound, the three-dimensional image, and the merging between the images and the people on the stage. This is of course a great development of our Jordanian theater and we look forward to further creativity and renovation.

Fourth, we  currently mark the centenary of Jordan, but as it seems that the operetta did not focus merely on the centenary since our history can be traced back to thousands of years. Several cultures maintained a presence in this country, as well as left traces and archaeological sites. The holding of this ceremony on Al Qal'a Mount is a manifestation of this fact as it can be traced back to the 7th century AD. It proudly and vigorously overlooks the Roman amphitheater which witnesses the depth of civilization in this dear country.

Fifth, our country is a holy land. In the second shot, the operetta focuses on the Holy Jordan River, mentions John the Baptist and Lord Jesus Christ with relevance to the Baptism site, along with Petra and the tombs of the Companions This tunes sung serve as an invitation to visit Jordan, Petra as well as its holy places.

Sixth and lastly, creativity is available with regards to poems, lyric, tunes and performance. The composition in which Linda Hijazi made breathes life into the human spirit and patriotism, and asserts the authenticity and holiness in the country of Baptism and of the Hashemites. There are also those who have excelled in the performances, including the dancin, child Iman Bishah, and Natalie Sam'an as well as others who deserve encouragement and the development of their creative talent as they depict the image of Jordan  at the outset of its second centenary which is bright, attractive, original and clear as" the sun" is which this wonderful operetta was titled.

May excellence prevail.

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