Ammon News - By Banan Malkawi

AMMONNEWS - Organizers of the Jordanian renowned Jerash Festival are negotiating with Arab divas Fairuz and Majeda al Roumi to partake in the festival scheduled to launch on July 20th, 2011.

The festival organizers are requesting Fairuz to open the festival, and Majeda al Roumi to conclude it.

Jerash Festival returns this year after a 3-year halt on the festivities that had put Jordan on the map of Arab art and entertainment.

Sources close to the festival organizers said that negotiations are "difficult" because both Arab divas are asking for "very high" payments for their concerts.

Similar difficulties are faced in negotiating with Iraqi singer Kathem Al Saher, who is ever present in Jordanian festivals, because his manager is asking for a very high payment for a one-night concert.

The Festival management set Thursdays and Fridays of each week during the festival for Arab singers' live concerts, while the amphitheaters will be dedicated the remaining days for a variety of art, theater, folklore, poetry, and other entertainment events.

Other Arab artists on the list include Lebanon’s Wael Kfouri, Melhem Barakat, and Najwa Karam.

The Festival is still negotiating with Emirati singer Hussein Al Jasmi, Saudi singer Rashid Al Majed, and Lebanon's Diana Haddad.

The Festival organizers noted that Jordanian star Omar Al Abdullat may perform a concert on the concluding night, July 30th, if negotiations with Majeda al Roumi do not succeed.

The absence of Egyptian stars is noticeable in the initial scheduling of the festival, as no negotiations are ongoing with any Egyptian artists.

Past festivals witnessed numerous concerts for Egyptian artists, including Amro Dyab, Muhammad Hamaqi, and Tamer Husni.