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This year's Mediterranean Day on the power of music and journalism as a means of intercultural dialogue

To mark the Mediterranean Day, a round table discussion was organised in the atrium of the Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts (ZRC SAZU) under the title The Power of Journalism and Music as a Means of Intercultural Dialogue«. The event was enriched with the performance of the exceptional Syrian musician Rami Basisah, whose story was presented to the international audience by Slovenian journalist Boštjan Videmšek.
Musian with drums, other musian with clarinetGlasbenik za bobni, glasbenik s klarinetom

Musicians: Rami Basisah, Ghaeth Almaghoot, Modar Salama and Sebastien Wrincq. Photo by: Nino Bektashashvili

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The event was opened by the Director General of the Directorate for Political Affairs and Political Director, Mateja Norčič Štamcar, who stressed that "Music is a universal language that transcends borders and enriches our lives. At the same time, it connects us and reminds us of our common humanity." She called for embracing the richness of the Mediterranean heritage and respecting the resilience and creativity that can thrive even in the most difficult circumstances. Rami's story and journey described in Videmšek's writing show how music and storytelling promote intercultural dialogue and understanding. "In a world often divided by differences, shared experiences and expressions provide us with common grounds," said Norčič Štamcar.

The round table discussion was followed by a concert by the Rami Basisah quartet. The event was organised by the APIS Institute and the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs with the support of the Anne Lindh Foundations, ZRC SAZU, the Euro-Mediterranean University and other partners.

The Union for the Mediterranean declared 28 November as Mediterranean Day to celebrate the promotion of intercultural dialogue and raise awareness of the shared history and identity of the Mediterranean region. On this day, concerts are being held simultaneously in 24 countries around the Mediterranean basin to showcase the diversity of the region through music.