Sharjah24: The Sharjah Institute for Heritage (SIH), in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and Youth and the Greek University of Athens, organised the “Traditional Song between UAE and Greece” forum. The University of Athens is the oldest institution of higher education in the modern Greek state, and the first contemporary university in the eastern Mediterranean region, which was established in 1837 AD.

Ali Al Abdan, Director of Artistic Heritage at the Sharjah Institute for Heritage, stated that the forum discusses common topics in traditional arts between the two countries, including the Emirati folklore “Al-Taghrooda” and the “Qalandi Sermoni” art in Greece, where the two artists link metered poetry and composition, and there are two similar musical instruments, namely the “Rababa” in the UAE, it is called in Greece "Lira".

In exclusive statements to "Sharjah 24", Ali Al Abdan confirmed that the Sharjah Institute for Heritage aims, through this forum, to issue a joint book in the future, containing research on the arts, as well as producing a joint disc, which will be attached to the book, in order to enhance cooperation between the two countries.