Amman Hosts PNT Heritage Award 2026 Ceremony with Regional Participation

Amman Hosts PNT Heritage Award 2026 Ceremony with Regional Participation

Amman - June 4, 2026

Under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Dana Firas, President of the National Heritage Trust and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Cultural Heritage, the National Heritage Trust (Petra National Trust), in partnership with the Delegation of the European Union to Jordan, held the PNT Heritage Award 2026 ceremony at the Odeon Theatre in Downtown Amman. The event was attended by H.E. Dr. Emad Hijazin, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Kajsa Ollongren, EU Special Representative for Human Rights, H.E. Pierre-Christophe Chatzisavas, Ambassador of the European Union to Jordan, as well as a number of ministers, ambassadors, diplomats, cultural figures, and representatives of local community institutions.

Now in its third consecutive year, the award is supported by Jordan Kuwait Bank, Quds Bank, and H.E. Mr. Said Samih Darwazeh, reaffirming the importance of supporting impactful initiatives in the field of cultural heritage preservation and enhancing its role in sustainable development and community engagement. This year's edition witnessed a regional expansion to include Jordan, Palestine, and Syria, reflecting the importance of strengthening regional cooperation in safeguarding shared cultural heritage and supporting related creative initiatives across the region.

The ceremony opened with a speech by HRH Princess Dana Firas, who welcomed the attendees and emphasized that "protecting cultural heritage is no longer solely a cultural responsibility, but has become an investment in identity, economy, development, and social stability, and that the continuation of this award reflects a growing belief in heritage as an active force in building the future and enhancing regional cooperation."

H.E. the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities stated that "Jordanian cultural heritage represents one of the most important elements of national identity and a key pillar of tourism and cultural development, and that investing in protecting historical sites and supporting cultural initiatives is an investment in the national economy and in strengthening Jordan's cultural and civilizational position regionally and internationally."

Kajsa Ollongren, EU Special Representative for Human Rights stated that "the right to culture is well established under international law. Also under international humanitarian law, cultural heritage is protected. Jordan is an essential partner in preserving cultural heritage, both in Jordan and in the broader region."

Ms. Huda Hijazi, Director of Marketing and Corporate Communications at Jordan Kuwait Bank, stated: "We are proud to continue supporting the PNT Heritage Award for the third consecutive year, reflecting our ongoing commitment to preserving cultural heritage and raising awareness of its significance among future generations. This year's regional expansion to include Jordan, Palestine, and Syria marks an important step in promoting collaborative efforts to safeguard our shared cultural heritage and invest in culture, heritage, and national identity".

The award saw strong participation this year, with 293 submissions received from projects and initiatives from Jordan, Palestine, and Syria. Ten projects were selected for the final stage after review and evaluation by the technical committee.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, winners in three categories were announced, with each winner receiving a cash prize of 10,000 Jordanian dinars, along with a certificate and a trophy designed by artist Katia Al Tal, in recognition of their excellence in heritage preservation and the impact of their cultural initiatives.

In the category of Conservation and Adaptive Reuse, the award was presented to Nablus Old Town Regeneration from Palestine. In the category of Research and Innovation, the award was awarded to Returnee 67 from Syria and Tiraz Centre's Interactive Screen from Jordan. The award for Community Engagement and Social Inclusion was presented to The Heritage Guardians Project from Palestine.

In the Climate Change and Cultural Heritage category, the jury decided not to award a prize this year, as the submitted projects did not meet the approved criteria, in order to maintain the quality and standard of the award.

The ceremony also included honoring five figures in recognition of their continuous efforts in preserving cultural heritage. Honorees included: Ms. Widad Qawar, Duke Mamdouh Bisharat, Father Jean-Baptiste Humbert, Professor Gary Rollefson, and Father Jean-Michel de Tarragon, in recognition of their contributions to safeguarding and promoting cultural heritage.

The PNT Heritage Award continues to affirm its role in supporting creative initiatives in cultural heritage, strengthening regional cooperation, and encouraging innovation and community participation in safeguarding shared cultural memory.

The National Heritage Trust (Petra National Trust), established in 1989, is one of the oldest and most prominent institutions working in the field of cultural heritage preservation in Jordan and the region. It continues its efforts to develop programs and initiatives aimed at safeguarding and promoting heritage for future generations.

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