The Union for the Mediterranean has declared November 28th as Mediterranean Day, a celebration designed to promote intercultural dialogue and deepen appreciation for the shared history and identity of the Mediterranean region.

On this day, concerts will take place simultaneously in 24 countries, showcasing the region's diverse musical heritage. In Slovenia, in addition to the concert, there will be a roundtable discussion highlighting the remarkable story of a guest Syrian musician, whose journey was brought to international attention by a Slovenian journalist.

Mediterranean Day will be inaugurated by the honorary speaker, Mateja Norčič Štamcar, MSc, Director-General of the Directorate for Political Affairs and Political Director, MFEA.

Rami Basisah is no stranger to the Slovenian audience. In 2015, Boštjan Videmšek wrote a resonant article for Delo about the European anthem, 'Ode to Joy,' played by Rami, which was later nominated for the European Press Prize.

When Rami fled from the completely destroyed city of Homs, Syria, in 2015, Boštjan Videmšek noticed him at the border between Greece and Macedonia. At that time, Rami performed a spontaneous concert in a refugee camp with the violin he had carried with him all the way from Syria as a student of the instrument.

As Videmšek wrote, sometimes a miracle happens in journalism, and his story about the Syrian violinist traveled the world. It was translated into several languages, covered by numerous media outlets, and published in Videmšek's book "On the Run," which was also published in Germany. The story became most widely recognized due to its nomination for the European Press Prize.

Rami's talent and his inspiring story opened many new paths for him after arriving in Europe. Two years later, at the age of 22, Rami released his album My Journey with the renowned German label Decca.

This will be Rami's first visit to Slovenia, where he will perform with the Rami Basisah Quartet, merging traditional Syrian melodies with the rich sounds of the Mediterranean.

Roundtable Guests:

Boštjan Videmšek, journalist, foreign correspondent and writer

Rami Basisah, Syrian-born musician living in Germany

Ghaeth Almaghoot, Syrian-born musician living in the Netherlands

The discussion will be moderated by::

Tina Lešničar,  journalist & programme director of Jazz and World Music at Cankarjev dom

Art is a universal language that transcends boundaries and enriches our lives, connecting us and reminding us of our common humanity.

The roundtable will be followed by a concert by the Rami Basisah Quartet.

The Rami Basisah Quartet is a vibrant ensemble that beautifully fuses Classical Arabic music, traditional Middle Eastern sounds, and Balkan grooves. Founded by violinist Rami Basisah and clarinetist Ghaeth Almaghoot, who have been musical partners since 2013 in
their the city of Homs, Syria. After fleeing the war in Syria, Rami and Ghaeth found themselves in different parts of Europe, yet their shared passion for music continued to unite them.

The Quartet’s sound is characterized by the intricate dialogue between Basisah's emotive violin and Almaghoot's warm clarinet, complemented by the dynamic rhythms of percussionist Modar Salamah and the contemporary edge of electric guitarist Sebastian
Wrincq from Belgium.

Together, they create a unique sonic landscape that invites listeners on a journey through the warm winds of Syria, passing through Egypt, Turkey, Bulgaria, Greece, and beyond. Their compositions reflect personal experiences and stories, intertwining traditional melodies with original pieces that express their diverse backgrounds.

The entire programme will be conducted in the English language.

Admission to the event is free, but space is limited, and seat reservation is required. You can reserve your spot by clicking HERE or by writing to: apis@zavodapis.si

If you want to follow the event online via live streaming, enter your name in the form below, and you will receive a link in your inbox: https://forms.gle/WMuFAghJbyntAYrA8

The event is co-organized by the APIS Institute and the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia. The venue is provided by ZRC SAZU, which also supports the project.

This year’s Mediterranean Day celebration is held in collaboration with Radio Prvi RTV Slovenia, the Anna Lindh Foundation, EMUNI, and ADRA Slovenia.

The concert and roundtable discussion are part of Mediterranean Day, an initiative of the Union for the Mediterranean.