JERASH, August 1 (Petra) -- The Macellum--the historic Roman food market nestled within the ancient city of Jerash--has stepped out of the pages of antiquity, transforming into a vibrant, living platform for traditional arts and crafts as part of the 40th Jerash Festival for Culture and Arts.

The ancient site now hosts a dynamic series of live, interactive workshops that place master artisans directly in front of audiences. Visitors can observe and engage with intricate stone carving, wood inlay, copper etching, jewelry craftsmanship, and traditional weaving techniques.

Mohammed Bani Yassin, head of the Jerash Municipality Committee, explained that the initiative is designed to revive heritage crafts through direct, experiential engagement. Visitors can follow every stage of creation, discovering the tools, raw materials, and techniques utilized by artisans in a process that bridges creator and spectator.

Among the standout attractions hosted within the Macellum is "Macellum Weaving," a collaborative communal textile project utilizing an Egyptian loom. Festival-goers are invited to weave individual threads into the growing tapestry, transforming collective contributions into a unified work of art born from many hands.

By reclaiming its historical identity as a bustling center of exchange, the ancient Roman market has successfully transitioned from an archaeological relic into a living nexus of commerce, culture, and craftsmanship--seamlessly binding Jerash’s storied past to its vibrant contemporary cultural landscape.

//Petra// AA