Amman: Under the patronage of HRH Princess Wijdan Al Hashemi, President of the Royal Society of Fine Arts, and HRH Princess Rajwa Bint Ali, the photographic exhibition “Yemen 3n Qurb” (A Closer Look to Yemen) opened Sunday evening at Gallery Wasl in the Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts. The exhibition includes 32 photographs and is a collaborative effort between the National Gallery and the Goethe-Institut in Amman, in cooperation with Yemeni creative centers and supported by the European Union.
According to Jordan News Agency, the exhibition features works by four Yemeni photographers-architect Maisaa Balfaqih, Moein Al-Ariani, Khaled Al-Qadhi, and Nashwan Sadeq-who capture the daily life and cultural richness of Yemen through powerful visual narratives. EU Ambassador to Yemen Gabriel Munuera Vi±als, speaking at the opening, expressed gratitude to the Jordanian government for hosting the event and emphasized that the images convey stories of Yemen’s historical, environmental, and cultural wealth, underlining the importance of achieving sustainable peace through United Nations-led efforts.
The exhibition aims to highlight the creativity of Yemen’s youth and their potential role in shaping a peaceful future for the country. Christian Diemer, Director of the Goethe-Institut, noted that this is the second exhibition on Yemen in partnership with the EU, following last year’s “Roots of Identity.” He explained that this year’s exhibition was curated through a nationwide competition in Yemen, where young photographers submitted works judged by experts from Jordan, Yemen, and the EU, based on criteria such as geographic diversity, technique, content, cultural depth, and gender balance.
Diemer announced the top four participants: Moein Al-Ariani secured 1st place but was absent from the event, Maisaa Balfaqih claimed 2nd place for her project “The Beauty of Morning,” Nashwan Sadeq took 3rd place for a visual journey along Yemen’s coastal beauty, and Khaled Al-Qadhi was awarded 4th place for his project “Ninety Kilometers of Hope.”
German Ambassador to Yemen, Hubert Jager, who is based in Jordan, also attended the opening. The speakers highlighted that each photo provides insight into the resilience, traditions, and cultural elegance of the Yemeni people. The “A Closer Look to Yemen” exhibition runs for ten days, offering audiences a window into the everyday lives of Yemenis, celebrating their values, strength, and enduring beauty amid adversity.