Washington Report, March 2006, page 70

Diplomatic Doings

“Turath” Exhibit Attracts DC Visitors

The Embassy of Jordan and the Center for Contemporary Arab Studies at Georgetown University co-hosted a Dec. 3 lecture as part of a weeklong exhibit entitled “Turath” at the embassy in Washington, DC. “Turath” was presented as part of the Ambassador’s Cultural Series organized by the Jordan Information Bureau.

The “Turath” is more than an exhibit of Bani Hameeda rugs and Dana jewelry. It also represents the work of the “Turath Empowerment Project,” which aims primarily to promote Jordan’s unique cultural and natural heritage to the world through exquisite crafts and artifacts. It provides support services such as training programs in Information and Communications Technology (ICT), product development and marketing to both local artisans and small producers.

In her lecture Susan Inglis, an American marketing consultant who has been involved with the “Turath Handcrafts Empowerment Project,” funded by USAID’s AMIR program, discussed her experience in Jordan. Working with local artisans and trainers, she developed curricula in Marketing and in Handmade Product Development. These curricula are now being used by Seven Dimensions to train artisan entrepreneurs around the country. 

“Turath” artifacts and handicrafts also were exhibited Dec. 3 at the “Jerusalem Fund’s Annual Souk and Olive Harvest Celebration” bazaar, featuring pottery, embroidery and olivewood carvings made by Palestinians and sold in the U.S. by various non-profit organizations (see <www.amedtrust.org/pact/>) to keep those crafts alive.

For more information on “Turath,” visit <http://www.turath.com.jo/>, or contact the Jordan Information Bureau at (202) 265-1606.

         —Delinda C. Hanley

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