US embassy cable - 02AMMAN5597

UNCLAS AMMAN 005597 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR ECA/PE/C/CU; NEA/PPD (CBOURGEOIS, DMACINNES, 
JGAFFNEY); NEA/ARN 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OIIP,  OEXC,  SCUL,  JO 
SUBJECT: Mr. Edward Eikner - Target of Opportunity Pianist: 
Evaluation 
 
 
1. Summary: This program was initiated by post.  In 
coordination with The National Music Conservatory (NMC) and 
The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, PAS Amman organized 
two public concerts and two workshops for target of 
opportunity pianist Mr. Edward Eikner during his program in 
Jordan on August 18 through August 24.  The concerts took 
place following a hiatus in cultural programs and targeted a 
new audience of more than three hundred students, faculty 
members and music lovers.  End summary. 
 
2. The first concert was held at the Citadel and the second 
concert was held in the city of Fuheis.  As for Mr. Eikner's 
workshops, the first was held at the NMC for a number of 
students and instructors.  The second workshop was held at 
the Yarmouk University's faculty of Fine Arts for almost one 
hundred and twenty students of music and faculty members. 
 
3. On Wednesday 21, "Al-Ra'i" leading Arabic daily ran an 
article reviewing the concert at the Citadel referring to 
cosponsors and commented that their involvement highlighted 
the relationship between the touristic and historic and the 
cultural.  It also mentioned mentioned the patronage of H.E. 
Dr. Taleb Al Rifai, Minster of Tourism and Antiquities. 
Also on Wednesday, August 21, Ad-Dustour Arabic daily ran an 
article on the same concert.  The article declared "Mr. 
Eikner invested an incredible amount of effort in 
transporting his audience to the highest level of music 
appreciation."  On Friday, August 23, the Jordan Times 
announced Mr. Eikner's second concert in Fuheis as part of 
Amman's activities as the Arab Cultural Capital for 2002. 
It quoted the Director of the NMC in saying the NMC 
"Encourages the development of accomplished musicians and to 
promote music appreciation in the country."  Mr. Eikner was 
featured on a live radio show on Jordan's FM English 
Language Radio Station on Thursday, August 22. 
 
4. PAS requested Mr. Eikner's program to expose a new, 
younger audience including musicians and talented young 
Jordanians performers to an assortment of classical piano 
pieces conveyed by American talent.  Mr. Eikner's program 
conveyed the message that music is a universal language and 
is the grounds for common understanding between cultures and 
peoples.  Mr. Eikner exchanged a great deal of information 
with faculty members and students alike.  He encouraged 
students to pursue a career in music and interested them in 
music degrees offered throughout the U.S.  He also provided 
them with contact information and the promise of following 
up on his program in Jordan by responding to any queries 
they have and by giving them further insight into his 
musical background and techniques.  Mr. Eikner also 
expressed an interest in visiting Jordan and the region once 
again for similar programs in the near future. 
 
5. Cost-sharing: The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities 
covered Mr. Eikner's accommodation and the Hakoura 
Restaurant in Fuheis provided its venue and staff free of 
charge.  GNEHM