Academics, critics, and artists participating in a discussion at the Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation Cultural Forum highlighted how Amman's rapid transformation from a small hillside city into a modern capital has inspired generations of writers, poets, and visual artists, making it one of the most prominent cultural symbols in Jordanian creative expression. 

During the discussion, titled “Amman in Narrative, Poetry, and Visual Art,” speakers examined how the city's evolving urban landscape, history, and identity have been reflected in novels, poetry, songs, and paintings. They noted that artistic portrayals of cities often serve as a means of preserving memory, expressing nostalgia, and documenting social and cultural change. 

The panel explored Amman's enduring presence in Jordanian literature, where it has been depicted through multiple lenses, from a city of history and heritage to a space shaped by modernity, migration, social transformation, and questions of identity. Speakers emphasized that many Jordanian novelists, poets, and artists have turned Amman into a central character in their works, capturing its neighborhoods, mountains, people, and evolving cultural landscape. 

Participants also discussed Amman's place in Jordanian poetry and song, tracing references to the city from early Arabic poetry to contemporary cultural productions that celebrate its role as a symbol of belonging, memory, and emotional connection. 

In the visual arts, speakers highlighted how artists have documented Amman's architectural and urban development, while others have drawn inspiration from its distinctive topography, particularly its hills and layered cityscape, creating artworks that capture the spirit of the city rather than simply portraying its physical appearance. 

The discussion featured Dr. Emad Dmour, Professor of Literature and Criticism at Al-Balqa Applied University; Dr. Rashid Issa, Professor of Modern Literature and Criticism; and artist and writer Mohammad Al-Jallous. The session was moderated by Professor of Literature and Criticism Dr. Linda’a Obaid. 

The speakers concluded that reading Amman through literature, poetry, and visual art offers a unique perspective on the city's evolution and reveals how creative expression has transformed the Jordanian capital into a lasting cultural and artistic symbol in the national imagination.