For one day only, a corner of Jordan’s capital city transforms into an open-air bazaar of international proportions. Mohammad J. S. Alwahsh takes us inside the 61st Annual International Diplomatic Charity Bazaar, benefiting Mabarrat Um Al Hussein.

The World Comes to Amman

61st Annual Diplomatic Bazaar at Al-Hussein Youth City in Amman, Jordan. Image: Mohammad J. S. Alwahsh.

To wander through the Diplomatic Bazaar in Amman’s Al-Hussein Youth City (also known as the Sports City) is to travel across continents in an afternoon. Among the 40 nations presenting, there were particular standouts: The Japanese pavilion presented crisp tempura dusted with matcha salt, while the Mexican booth filled the air with the spice of tacos and fresh salsa. Nearby, the Russian stand overflowed with sweets and hand-painted nesting dolls, and the Greek table offered cool yogurt topped with honey and walnuts.

Each stop revealed a new corner of the globe: Indonesia dazzled visitors with its traditional dance performances — intricate movements accompanied by rhythmic gamelan melodies — while Korea showcased its iconic beauty and skincare brands, drawing long queues eager to discover the country’s globally adored craft. At the Turkish booth, handmade ceramics and patterned textiles stood out, a testament to the country’s centuries-old craftsmanship.

Between pavilions, embroidered shirts from Ukraine, calligraphy from Egypt, and woven baskets from Kenya turned the event into an open-air museum of global artistry. Traditional Jordanian dabkeh met Ukrainian hopak on the same stage — a reminder that joy, too, is a universal language.

“I met people from everywhere,” one attendee said. “A man named Silas offered to show me around, introducing me to his friends — by the end of the day, I’d practiced Japanese, learned about Turkish pottery, and even tried on a Korean face mask.”

Attendees were even offered a 20% discount for two trips from Careem, one of the most popular transportation providers in the region.

A Cause That Transcends Culture

Her Royal Highness Princess Basma bint Talal with the children at Mabarrat Um Al Hussein (2014). Image: Office of Her Royal Highness Princess Basma bint Talal.

Behind the magic and discovery lies the bazaar’s true heart: charity. For the past sixty years, every dinar raised goes to Mabarrat Um Al Hussein, a foundation established in 1958 and guided by Princess Basma bint Talal. The foundation provides shelter, education, and life skills for children in need. Its mission seeks to empower youth through dignity and opportunity, and it remains one of Jordan’s most respected humanitarian legacies.

In its sixth decade, the Diplomatic Bazaar continues to prove that diplomacy doesn’t only live in conference rooms or in business suits — sometimes, it’s simply formed over tea, song, or crafts.

Presenting sponsors of the event include Zain, a major communications provider, The Housing Bank for Trade and Finance, one of Jordan’s most prolific banks, Markazia Toyota, the official dealer of Toyota in Jordan, and others. The event is graciously held under the Patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Basma bint Talal. Additional media support comes from Roya TV and Seagulls, a multimodal advertising provider based in Amman.

Amman’s International Status Shines

There are few cities better suited to host such a gathering than Amman, Jordan’s capital city. With over 60 embassies and a deep network of international NGOs, Jordan’s capital has long stood as a diplomatic and humanitarian hub for the region, rivaling that of Geneva for Europe. Nestled at the crossroads of the Levant, the Gulf, and North Africa, Amman is where iconic Bedouin traditions meet global modernity. It’s a city that embodies coexistence.

Its reputation for political stability, convivial hospitality, and cross-cultural exchange has made it home to offices of the UN, UNESCO, and UNICEF, as well as countless NGOs that anchor its humanitarian profile. Against that backdrop, the Diplomatic Bazaar feels less like an isolated event and more like an expression of Amman itself — cosmopolitan, generous, and deeply humane.

One notable absence caught the attention of regular attendees: the United States, traditionally one of the bazaar’s signature participants, was unable to join due to the ongoing U.S. government shutdown, which temporarily suspended embassy-sponsored events. It was a gentle reminder that even in the most convivial settings, global realities remain close.

On the Calendar for Next Year

Amman’s Al-Hussein Youth City, also known as the Sports City. Image: Provided.

Come for the food; stay for the humanity. Typically held each year in October, you can follow @diplomaticbazaarjo on Instagram or on Facebook to keep track of your invite to the next celebration. Truly, the Diplomatic Bazaar is a passport to the world, almost always hosted at the Al-Hussein Youth City (also known as the Sports City).

Between the scent of spices, the flash of color, and the pulse of the dabkeh drum, visitors witness what makes Jordan so remarkable: a nation that builds bridges through kindness, and a capital that welcomes the world not as guests, but as friends.