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Ammon News - by Mohammad Ghazal/ Jordan Times

'Najwa Karam's Thursday concert sold out'

AMMAN — More than 8,000 people attended last weekend's concerts held as part of the 28th Jerash Festival for Culture and Arts, organisers said Saturday.

Over 5,000 people attended Thursday's concert by Lebanese singer Najwa Karam at the Roman city's South Theatre, Mohammad Abu Summaqa, the festival’s executive director, told The Jordan Times.

"Karam's concert was one of the festival's highlights," Abu Summaqa said.

"Najwa Karam's concerts at Jerash are always full house. Tickets were also sold out like Iraqi singer Kadim Al Saher's concert earlier in the festival," he added.

A concert by Lebanese singers Ayman Zbib and Dina Al Hayek on Friday attracted more than 3,000 people, according to Abu Summaqa.

"This is the first time that the two singers take part in Jerash festival, and the turnout was beyond expectations," he said.

Performances that were held on Thursday and Friday at the main square in the Roman city and its North Theatre also attracted thousands of people, he added.

A performance by the Moroccan Ensemble Ibn Arabi in the North Theatre on Friday attracted a huge number of attendees, Abu Summaqa noted.

"The number of those who attended the festival's paid and free concerts is very high compared to previous years. This is mainly because of the variety of the performances and the presence of major singers and artists from across the Arab world".

Concertgoers said they were delighted by this year's lineup.

"I attended Kadim Al Saher's concert, and today I am at Najwa Karam's concert. Both are amazing artists," Mohammad Deeb told The Jordan Times on Thursday.

"The theatre is a very nice place to come and attend a concert. Najwa and Kadim are the best, and the cheap tickets also encouraged me to come," said the 30-year old accountant, who attended the performance along with some friends and relatives.

Rami Abu Eisheh, Deeb's cousin, said he was "delighted" to attend Karam's concert.

"This is the first time that I come to Jerash. I always saw such concerts on TV, but I'm here now and I'm glad I came," the 31-year-old added.

"When I knew that Najwa was coming to the festival, I decided to attend the concert. I am a big fan of hers… I wish I could take a picture with her on stage," Abu Eisheh said.

The festival, which runs through Sunday in Jerash, 48km north of Amman, included a diverse line-up of local and Arab singers.