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  Chalkidike, Greece - A Mediterranean Music Forum, entitled Mediterranean
Musical Heritage - New Thoughts on the Sounds of Tradition, organized by
the cultural organization En Chordais Musical Traditions of the Mediterranean
as part of the MediMuses project, was held with great success in Chalkidike from
June 10th to 12th.
The Forum was attended by more than 130 participants, musicians, musicologists,
representatives of musical institutions and traditions from most Mediterranean
countries but also central and northern Europe. Amongst them were Dr Kifah
Fakhouri, President of the International Music Council of UNESCO, Rafael Dochao
Moreno chief administrator of the Barcelona Process (European Commission), Dr
Ute Meinel chief consultant to the Anna Lindh Foundation in Alexandria, Damien
Pwono secretary general of the International Music Council of UNESCO, Ruth
Jakobi general manager of the European Music Council, Fady Matar of Radio
Monte Carlo Moyen Orient, as well as many important directors of Conservatories,
Festivals and Cultural Organizations such as the Institut du Monde Arabe, the
Citι de la Musique, Carthage Festival, Beiteddine Festival, the National
Conservatories of Tunisia and Lebanon, the Centre for Higher Music Studies of
Istanbul University and others.
 During the Forum there was an interesting exchange of ideas about
the future perspectives of the Euro-Mediterranean cultural dialogue, seen from
the angle of the reconstitution and preservation of a common Mediterranean
musical heritage. The result of the dialogue was the decision to extend and
prolong the existing partnership network. The musicians and musicologists who
were present signed a common proclamation in which they declare their declare
their commitment to the dialogue between cultures and peoples, based on the
knowledge and respect of the others cultural identity, so that music may be a
dynamic force for peace for central Europe and the Mediterranean.
The Forum also featured three exceptional concerts of a high artistic and
aesthetic standard with the following ensembles: En Chordais (Greece), Bezmara
(Turkey), Beirut Oriental Ensemble (Lebanon), Persian Tradition (Iran) and Takht
Musical de Tunsi (Tunisia).
[Photos: 1 - Ensemble En Chordais, 2 -Misirli Ahmet].
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