Ajloun, July 30 (Petra) – The third Ajloun Summer Festival and the 26th Rural Products and Handicrafts Exhibition opened Thursday at the Ajloun Cable Car station near Ajloun Castle, showcasing local products and traditional crafts.

The three-day event aims to promote tourism, support local producers and highlight Ajloun's rich cultural and heritage assets.

Festival activities will continue Friday and Saturday, with the exhibition opening at 10 a.m. each day. The entertainment program will feature performances by the Karameesh Band, in addition to oud music.

The exhibition showcases a wide range of rural products and traditional handicrafts, including hand embroidery, pottery and glassmaking, highlighting the craftsmanship of local artisans and the governorate's cultural heritage.

Festival coordinator Munther Zaghoul said the event features products from more than 90 productive families, including natural foods, agricultural products and traditional handicrafts.

He added that the opening day's program includes performances by the Nashama Band, folkloric shows presented by the Baoun Cultural Forum and poetry readings by Osama Ammarat.

Jordan Free and Development Zones Group Chairperson Sakher Ajlouni stressed that rural products and handicrafts are integral to Jordan's heritage and identity, noting that the Ajloun Cable Car has become a landmark tourism project and a driver of sustainable development by boosting rural tourism and creating employment opportunities for residents.

Ajloun Development Zone Director Tariq Maayta pointed out that hosting the festival reflects ongoing efforts to support local producers, promote tourism and provide visitors with an opportunity to explore Ajloun's rural products and handicrafts while contributing to the local economy.

//Petra// AJ