‘From Amman to Paris with love’

One of my fondest memories growing up in Amman were the afternoons spent at the French Cultural Centre located near my home. Little did I know then the impact that these memorable gatherings would have on introducing me to Paris, one of the most vibrant and culturally rich cities in the world. Slowly but surely I grew to love Paris long before we even met. Paris, that divine city of light, enriched me on matters of literature, philosophy, art, music and the love of language. It was an enlightenment of a very personal kind that opened the doors of knowledge and appreciation of that glorious disruptive age of enlightenment.

The city of Paris has a special place in the hearts and minds of Jordanians. It is a city synonymous with culture, art, history, diversity, fashion, gastronomy and some of the world’s most famous museums. It is indeed a place that conjures fascination and feelings of admiration on all levels. The tangible and intangible heritage and culture of this wonderful city are a source of immense inspiration. The anecdotes and myths that one encounters while touring Paris are just as intriguing as the history of the many iconic monuments one casually meets through wandering in its beautiful neighbourhoods.

Amman and Paris enjoy solid relations that bind our two capitals together. The year 1999 witnessed the renewal of the friendship agreement initially signed in 1987 between Amman and Paris. This agreement bolsters understanding and goodwill for continued joint cooperation. Moreover, and in recognition of the legacy of our great late King Hussein, the city of Paris bestowed the name “Hussein Premier de Jordanie” on one of its avenues in the prestigious area of the Trocadéro. 

Jordan is ever-present in some of Paris’s most important cultural institutions. Few might realise that the oldest work in the Louvre Museum, the 9,000-year-old human form statue on loan, comes from excavations at Ain Ghazal in Jordan. The Louvre also showcases the Mesha stele, known as the Moabite Stone, set up around 840 BC by King Mesha of Moab and found in Jordan. Mesha stele is the longest Iron Age inscription ever found in the region.

The depth and breadth of the ties between Paris in Jordan are perhaps best manifested in some of Jordan’s brightest talents who graduated from its top schools, ranging from the Sorbonne to the École des Beaux-Arts to the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris (CNSMDP) and several others. Some of the sorbonne graduates later assumed key positions in the Jordanian government, as cabinet ministers and one of them even became a prime minister. Recently, it was wonderful to see Soprano Dima Bawab, a graduate of CNSMDP, perform an epic duo with Andrea Bocelli in the beautiful historic city of Jerash in Jordan.

One thing for sure, Paris is addictive and one can never do it justice by only reading about it. Experiencing the magic of Paris is a must.

The writer is the minister of tourism. She contributed this article to The Jordan Times