Journey to explore the melody of Petra Launched

AMMAN – December 23, 2015 - Within the framework of the campaign #UNITE FOR HERITAGE, Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization (TAG-Org) and the Jordanian National Orchestra Association (JOrchestra) in cooperation with UNESCO Amman and the Petra Development & Tourism Region Authority (PDTRA) implemented the initiative “A Journey to Discover Petra’s Melody”.

The initiative, implemented by Italian composter Luca Aquino and JOrchestra, featured a music-recording in Little Petra, and aimed at encouraging the wider music practice and appreciation across different cultures to promote Petra as the appropriate touristic destination.

JOrchestra capitalized on the original idea of the Italian trumpeter and composer Aquino to use the natural acoustic reverberations of the archeological site as an integral part of the music composition, and jointly worked with UNESCO Amman and the Authority to make this unprecedented initiative become a reality.

From 25 to 28 November 2015, during a program of rehearsals and recording sessions,  Aquino, Carmine Ioanna (accordion) and Sergio Casale (flute) performed together with JOrchestra’s musicians Anna Maria Matuszczak (violin), Bassem al Jaber (double bass), Vardan Petrosyan (Viola) Baciu Laurentiu (oboe) and the percussionist Brad Broomfield. 

This initiative will encourage the music practice and appreciation across different cultures while underlining the importance of the artistic and historical heritage as common good in the framework of the global campaign #Unite4Heritage. 

#Unite4Heritage is a global movement powered by UNESCO that aims to celebrate and safeguard cultural heritage and diversity around the world. 

Launched in Iraq by UNESCO Director-General Ms. Irina Bokova on March 28, the initiative has turned into a global call to highlight the role of cultural heritage as a platform to foster intercultural and interfaith dialogue in the Arab region.

In line with this message, this activity enjoys the support of the Petra Development & Tourism Region Authority as it contributes to national efforts to highlight the importance of the artistic and historical heritage as a unique and shared value. At times when horrendous attacks are launched against cultural heritage sites in neighboring countries, it is reassuring to witness such a strong interest by Jordan’s authorities to engage in this undertaking, for the benefit of Petra, this extraordinary site.

The Italian video artist Gianpaolo De Siena and the photographer Nadir Daoud documented the program of recording sessions and rehearsals. 

The initiative was also supported by the kind contribution of Royal Jordanian, Kanzaman Restaurant, Trifty Car Rental, Sweetspot Soundworks and of the telecom partner Zain.