Deputy Mayor of Amman, Eng. Amer Al Basheer, patronized the launching ceremony of the Arabic version of the book “Amman, City of Stone & Peace”, organized by the Cultural Programs Department at Suleiman Al Mousa Specialized Library in Al Hussein Cultural Center, and in the presence of the book’s author Mariam Ababseh, and other personalities of Amman city.
During his speech, Engineer Al Basheer said that Amman inspires many writers, poets, and artists, as Amman hides lots of secrets that have not been revealed yet.
He added “Amman, the city of accumulated human civilizations, generation after generation, conserves its civilizations and is keen on preserving its historical diversity to gain from this richness over the time. The Roman Amphitheatre, for instance, still holds its name, as a tribute to the original builders who are owed by Amman, and do inhale from its tolerance, generosity, and love of others, without undermining any civilization or cultural accomplishment”.
Al Basheer commended the creativity of the French author of Algerian origin, together with the valuable content, welcoming, at the same time, the writer among her loving family in Amman, and said: “We promise to keep Amman as the city that respects multiculturalism, and appreciates the civilization diversity, a city of tolerance and love, as its old name “Philadelphia” indicates- (brotherly love)”.
The book’s foreword, written by Mayor of Amman, Omar Maani, upon a translation from the French version issued in 2007 among the writer’s collection “Moving Cities”. The Embassy of France supported the publishing of the book in French, while Ahia’a (Neighborhoods) Amman Company, represented by Mr. Hazem Malhas, translated the book; Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) took the responsibility of printing the translation within its celebrations of Amman centennial.
The book gives an account of Amman through some of the prominent personalities of the city, narrating its life story. The writer stated that choosing these personalities is attributed to their efforts, whose imprints are apparent on Amman and Ammanis.
Ababseh said in her book, “in spite of all what Amman has spread over its hills of stone houses shaded with olives, pines, and Eucalyptus, it has not yet gained what it deserves of love”. “Amman is still full of contrasts, from the neglected city center to the lively neighborhoods with many renovation works, from the refugees’ camps to the luxurious regions, and from the illegal housing to the businessmen compounds. With all these contradictions, the Ammanis succeeded in weaving the identity of the city, thanks to their common mission and social creativities which are verified by the 27 characters interviewed in this book, fighters for women rights, architects, musicians, and activists in culture”.
The book included 7 topics, the first about politics, and involved the participation of Mustafa Hamarneh, Randa Habib, ‘Uroub Al abed, and Ibrahim Gharaibeh.
The “City Perceptual Form” topic took account of opinions and experiences of Jaafar Touqan, Rami Thaher, Mamdouh Bsharat, and Hazem Malhas. Imad Hajjaj, Ahmad Abu Khalil, Taleb Al Saqaf, and Asem Al Omari talked about “Citizenship under Investigation”. “Women’s Honor” gathered the points of view of Eva Abu halaweh, Emilie Nafa’a, Nadia Kharouf, and Widad Qawar. The topic entitled “theatre” comprises Samar Dodeen, Raed Asfour, and Nader ‘Emran. Arts were touched upon by Hazem Bitar, Dalia Al Kuri, and others.
The signing ceremony was attended by Al Sharifa Hind Naser, Minister of Environment, Hazem Malhas, the cultural attaché of the Embassy of France Alan Omise, City Deputy Manager for Cultural, Social, and Sports Affairs, Eng. Haitham Jweinat, and some other writers and interested characters.