Queen Rania Highlights Importance of Reading and Announces Winners of "Mama's Story"

(Office of Her Majesty, Press Department - Amman) The atmosphere among the children at the Zaha Cultural Center on Thursday as Queen Rania honored Jordanian mothers who participated in the “Mama’s Story” contest- was one of great euphoria and enthusiasm.

Launched last year on the occasion of Mother’s Day, “Mama’s Story” competition encourages mothers and grandmothers to document stories narrated to their children and grandchildren in an effort to keep Jordanian storytelling culture and heritage alive.
Upon her arrival at the centre, Her Majesty was accompanied by the Minister of Culture, the Mayor of Greater Amman Municipality and several children to place a copy of Her book “Eternal Beauty” on the “mobile library” truck.

Queen Rania’s book, which is published this year to celebrate Mother’s Day, will be distributed through the “mobile library” project to children across the Kingdom starting on Thursday, a download of the book is also available on Her Majesty’s website at www.queenrania.jo

The first “Mama’s Story” book will also be published this year featuring 50 women’s stories including those submitted by the five winners: Manal Al Qaramsrh, Fidaa Al Zemr, Amani Al Kilani, Nawal Al Masri, and Um Mohammad Al Sarhan.

Highlighting the “Mama’s Story” selection process, Bushra Zu’bi explained that all women either taped or documented their stories which were then independently evaluated and edited by a professional committee.

The contest which is a joint initiative between the Ministries of Culture and Education, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs, Ahli Bank, the Jordan Post and several local universities, saw mothers  and grandmothers participating all across the Kingdom.

During the ceremony, Her Majesty was briefed by the Minister of Culture on other programs promoted by the “Mobile Library” initiative which include puppet shows, face painting sessions and computer workshops in eleven Governorates and 145 public schools across the Kingdom.

Queen Rania also sat with a group of blind children from the Zaha Cultural Centre to read “Eternal Beauty” printed in brail. As she listened to one child reading, Queen Rania stressed the importance of printing story books in brail. “They complement school texts by stimulating children to learn in a fun and interesting way,” said Her Majesty.

Finally, Her Majesty joined a group of students between the ages of 10-14 to watch the “Eternal Beauty” puppet show developed by children from the Greater Amman Municipality.