Under the patronage of the Director General of the National Library, Mr. Firass A. Darabah, the National Library hosted the 8th Amman International Stamp and Coin Exhibition on Thursday, 8 October 2026. Organized by the Jordanian Philatelic and Numismatic Society to mark the 80th anniversary of the independence of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the event was attended by a number of ambassadors, alongside enthusiasts and collectors of stamps and coins.
The exhibition featured a diverse collection of stamps, coins, and philatelic and numismatic artifacts documenting various historical and civilizational milestones. It saw the participation of collectors from Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Algeria, Syria, and Libya, alongside participants from diverse backgrounds and nationalities reflecting the international nature of the exhibition and the role of this hobby in fostering cultural and intellectual exchange among nations.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Firass A. Darabah, Director General of the National Library, emphasized that the cooperation between the National Library and the Jordanian Philatelic and Numismatic Society is not new. It began in 2018 and has maintained an active presence at various national events, within the framework of a partnership built on trust and shared objectives.
He noted that the hobby of collecting stamps and coins is not a mere pastime, but rather a discipline of science, culture, and historical preservation. He pointed out that stamps and coins serve as miniature documents that safeguard the nation's memory, chronicle the milestones of its journey, and embody its identity and symbols.
Mr. Darabah added that this hobby contributes to instilling a love for knowledge, patience, and precision among the youth, connecting generations with their history and heritage. He affirmed that the National Library, as the home of the national memory, takes pride in hosting such events that contribute to preserving cultural and historical memory and raising awareness of the importance of documentary collections.
He expressed his gratitude to the Jordanian Philatelic and Numismatic Society for its efforts in organizing the exhibition, specifically commending Mr. Jalil Tannous, the exhibition coordinator, for his dedication to preparation and organization. He also extended his thanks to participants from within Jordan and abroad, and to everyone who contributed to the success of this event.
For his part, Mr. Jalil Tannous, President of the Jordanian Philatelic and Numismatic Society, stated that the hobby of collecting stamps and coins represents a national memory and a historical record that chronicles the social, political, and economic aspects of nations. He explained that it is a borderless global culture that contributes to spreading civilizational manifestations and noble values among nations, while enhancing communication, acquaintance, and cooperation among peoples.
Mr. Tannous pointed out that this hobby transcends the mere collection of artifacts to become an important means of cultural and historical documentation. It contributes to supporting the economy and building bridges of cooperation between communities, thereby promoting the concepts of peace, coexistence, and respect for human rights and dignity.
He clarified that among the Society's most prominent objectives are documenting ties of acquaintance and cooperation among stamp and coin collectors within the Kingdom and abroad, and focusing on all matters related to postage stamps and currency. This includes organizing domestic and international exhibitions to develop this hobby and enhance its cultural and intellectual presence.
The exhibition's program also included a lecture entitled "Preparing Stamp Exhibits and Judging Rules," presented by Mr. Jalil Tannous. During the lecture, he addressed the importance of specialized exhibitions in highlighting philatelic and numismatic collections, and introduced the foundations and rules followed in preparing exhibits, as well as the mechanisms for their evaluation and judging.
The organization of this exhibition falls within the framework of the ongoing commitment to documentary and cultural heritage, highlighting the historical value of stamps and coins as vital evidence that preserves a part of the national and human memory, and documents the transformations witnessed by societies and nations across different historical periods.