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(CNN)-- After decades of diverse presence in the Arab cultural and artistic scene, the 'Jerash Festival for Culture and Arts' launches its 40th edition in 2026, on Wednesday evening, offering visitors a new, richer experience more attached to the roots on which it was founded, celebrating the new edition's slogan 'A Heritage Extends.. Generations Meet'.

The Executive Director of the Jerash Festival, Yazn Al-Khudairi, said in an exclusive interview with CNN Arabic that 'the festival this year carries a character closer to the founding roots on which it was established decades ago, to restore the cultural dimension its wide space in the festival's events and performances, some of which are presented for the first time outside their home countries'.

He added that 'Jordanian, Arab, and foreign participations, led by the cultural character, are prominent in the festival's events, in addition to participations by a number of Arab artists,' noting that among the most important of those participations is the musical theatrical performance 'Om Kalthoum' written by writer Medhat Al-Adl, which evokes the biography of 'Kawkab Al-Sharq' (Star of the East) in an 'enjoyable visual and musical blend,' and is presented for the first time outside Egypt.

Alongside the participation of the Lebanese 'Caracalla' dance theater troupe, which has a relationship with Jordan extending over 30 years, as it will present the performance 'A Thousand and One Nights' in a 'dazzling theatrical epic,' and both performances will be presented on the Southern Stage.

Among the exceptional participations of this edition is the performance 'Fire and Light' by the international troupe 'Phoenix' on the Northern Stage.

According to the Executive Director of the Jerash Festival for Culture and Arts, 'this diversity in the program gives the festival special momentum in its new edition, along with the international presence,' indicating that there is 'broad participation through the embassies pavilion, with the participation of about 10 embassies, enhancing the international dimension of the festival'.

New spaces: This year, the festival administration, according to Al-Khudairi, decided to expand the locations of artistic and cultural performances within the archaeological city compound in Jerash, north of the country, in addition to the Southern and Northern stages, where the 'Hippodrome' field, also known as the horse field at the entrance to the archaeological city, was chosen.

He said that 'the field extends over a historical area of nearly 11 dunums, which was not previously used for concerts and events,' and the site features a grandstand overlooking it, and the front of the wall with its Roman arches near the entrance to the archaeological city, and what is known as the main (Hadrian) Gate. Al-Khudairi confirmed that the site has an intrinsic value that will provide a different experience for the audience.

He pointed out that the 'Hippodrome' will host many performances, mostly within the cultural exchange activities between Arab and foreign countries, in addition to various artistic programs, including participations from Egypt, Italy, Japan, Korea, Kazakhstan, Hungary, Sudan, Syria, Iraq, China, and others.

He also noted multiple artistic participations at the site, including the Egyptian 'Harmony' choir, Egyptian artist Mustafa Zahid, the Egyptian horse riding troupe, in addition to the Iraqi 'Salam' orchestra, which will present Iraqi Maqam art, and other participations.

Special Jordanian participation: Al-Khudairi spoke about the particularity of Jordanian artists' participation this year, in light of the cooperation concluded with the Jordanian Artists Syndicate, noting that coordination with the syndicate was remarkable this year, as participations will vary across different fields, including singers, musicians, writers, poets, and instrumentalists.

Among the Jordanian participations are musician Talal Abu Al-Ragheb, Haytham Sukkariya Orchestra and the National Music Institute, and the 'Autostrad' band.

He pointed to the establishment of 'Jerash Souk' near the field, aiming to energize the local community and give them the opportunity to display their products, indicating that about 200 women from the local community will benefit from these markets.

The oval square will also be allocated as a central organized seating platform, in addition to allocating a children's area, explaining that these activities aim to make the festival an integrated family and cultural space, and a rich experience, with broad participation from local community members.

He also explained that the children's theater will be held in cooperation with the 'Haya' Cultural Center, and will offer various daily activities including theater and interactive activities for children.

Arab and foreign participations: Among the Arab artist participations are Majida El Roumi, Tamer Hosny, Abbadi Al-Jawhar, Ahmed Saad, Al-Shami, Elissa, Abeer Nehme, Marwan Khoury on the Southern Stage, as well as Lebanese-French trumpeter and music arranger Ibrahim Maalouf, Tunisian singer Dorsaf Hamdani, and Moroccan composer Amin Boudchar known as 'Boudchart'.

Regional circumstances: Regarding the holding of the festival in light of the current regional conditions surrounding the area, he said that the festival administration did not make the state of instability in the region an obstacle to its organization.

He added that the festival was keen to present a 'bright image of Jordan,' saying that the Kingdom remains a safe and stable country, and efforts were made to present the festival in the best and most beautiful form, and preparations were made at the highest level, expressing hope that the 40th edition will pass successfully and present an image befitting the status of Jerash and Jordan.

Regarding visitors from outside Jordan, he clarified that the local audience remains the main pillar of the festival's success, but there is a presence from several Arab countries, especially Saudi Arabia, the Gulf states, Iraq, Lebanon, and Palestinians from inside (Israel), stressing that the selection of artists, troupes, and activities takes into account the interests of these groups.

New transportation routes: In terms of facilitating access to the festival, Al-Khudairi said that the festival administration designed new and regular transportation routes via shuttle buses, noting cooperation with a tourist transport company to provide daily guaranteed trips to the festival site, according to a specific schedule and timings.

Regarding the repeated talk about the festival's revenues not covering its costs in previous seasons, Al-Khudairi confirmed that the goal of the Jerash Festival is not solely material profit, and that the festival aims to 'create a space for joy and change, and to convey a cultural message about Jordan to the world,' along with other messages related to the Kingdom's image and status.

He said that 'improving the visitor experience was the primary priority in this edition,' so that they feel the difference between this edition and previous ones, whether in terms of organization, activities, or visual details.

Light shows: Al-Khudairi pointed to the introduction of light and sound shows in the oval square after 8 PM, which are free events for the public, in addition to lighting the historical square's columns using modern technologies, and holding integrated light and sound shows.

He explained that entry to the 'Hippodrome' will be free, as well as the events held at the site, except for the concerts on the Northern and Southern stages, noting the introduction of a new discounted ticket category under the name 'Family and Friends'.

He noted that the main gate will feature a show using 3D projection mapping technology, in addition to developing entry and exit routes according to an organization inspired by global experiences, including the creation of pathways to regulate the movement of the audience within the sites.