Queen Rania Launches 23rd Annual Jordan River Handicrafts Exhibition

 (Office of Her Majesty – Press Department – Amman) - Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah launched the 23rd annual Jordan River Designs handicrafts exhibition on Tuesday, introducing a new collection of items by the Jordan River Foundation (JRF).

Held at the new Jordan River Designs showroom, the exhibition features a wide range of hand-made items celebrating the traditional and contemporary arts of rural and nomadic Jordan, created by female artisans from local communities.

To date, JRF’s social enterprise projects have empowered more than 3,000 women and their families, granting them year-round technical and entrepreneurial training through Bani Hamidah Designs, Al Karma Embroidery, and Wadi Al Rayan Designs.   

Accompanied by JRF Director General, Enaam Barrishi, Queen Rania toured the exhibition, viewing this year’s collection of home furnishings, gift items, wall hangings, rugs, cushions, and fashion accessories.

Drawing inspiration from natural landscapes, Islamic geometric motifs, Arabic calligraphy, the gundelia plant, and the ancient city of Petra, the handicrafts incorporate a wide range of techniques, including needlework, embroidery, photography, printmaking, and the use of new media.

The launch of the exhibition was also attended by JRF’s Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Amin Khleifat, and a number of supporters of JRF and Jordan River Designs, including major donor Sheikh Bahaa Hariri.

Established in 1995, JRF is a Jordanian non-profit, non-governmental organization chaired by Her Majesty Queen Rania. The foundation operates the Jordan River Child Safety and Jordan River Community Empowerment programs, and aims to help Jordanians realize their full economic potential and overcome social challenges.

Since its establishment, JRF has launched numerous socio-economic projects for local and refugee women, providing employment opportunities to enhance their livelihoods, while also focusing on child protection programs and efforts to tackle the issue of abuse.